Punjab YouTuber, linked to Haryana’s Jyoti Malhotra, arrested for espionage

Major spy network dismantled; Ropar man was closely associated with Shakir alias Jutt Randhawa, a key figure in terror-backed espionage ring

Jasbir Singh, who runs a YouTube channel named 'Jaan Mahal'. Photo: Social media

In a major breakthrough, the State Special Operations Cell (SSOC) in Mohali has unearthed a significant espionage and terror-backed network involving Jasbir Singh, a YouTuber from Mahlan village in Rupnagar district.

Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav, in a post on X, stated that Jasbir, who runs a popular YouTube channel named “Jaan Mahal,” has been found to have deep ties with individuals linked to anti-national activities.

Investigations revealed that Jasbir was closely associated with PIO Shakir alias Jutt Randhawa, a key figure in the terror-backed espionage ring.

Moreover, he maintained regular communication with Haryana-based YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, recently arrested on charges of spying, and Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, a Pakistani national who was expelled from the Pakistan High Commission, the DGP said.

He said Jasbir attended the Pakistan National Day event held in Delhi on Danish’s invitation, where he reportedly met Pakistani Army officials and various vloggers connected to intelligence activities.

It was further discovered that Singh had travelled to Pakistan three times — in 2020, 2021, and most recently in 2024. His electronic devices, seized during the probe, contained numerous Pakistan-based contacts, all now undergoing detailed forensic scrutiny, the DGP said.

Following Malhotra’s arrest, Jasbir reportedly attempted to erase his communication records with the network members to avoid detection. An FIR has been registered against him at State Special Operations Cell, Mohali.

Investigations are ongoing to dismantle the broader espionage-terror network and identify all collaborators involved in these anti-national activities, Yadav added.