Punjab Police have arrested another YouTuber, Jasbir Singh from Punjab, for alleged spying for Pakistan, just days after the arrest of YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra. The police have confirmed Jasbir's link to Jyoti Malhotra. Jasbir operates the popular YouTube channel "Jaan Mahal", which has over 1.1 million subscribers.
After YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra's arrest, Singh attempted to erase all traces of his communications with the PIOs to avoid detection.
What Did The Punjab Police Say?
According to the Punjab Police, Jasbir Singh had close links with a Pakistani national who was expelled from India as an official of the Pakistan High Commission.
Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav posted on X, "He also maintained contact with Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, a Pakistani national who was expelled as an official of the Pakistan High Commission."
"Investigations have revealed that Jasbir attended the Pakistan National Day event in Delhi on Danish's invitation, where he met Pakistani Army officials and vloggers. He travelled to Pakistan on three occasions (2020, 2021, 2024), and his electronic devices contained multiple Pakistan-based numbers, now under detailed forensic scrutiny," he added.
An FIR has been registered at the State Special Operation Cell in Mohali. "Investigations are underway to dismantle the broader espionage-terror network and identify all collaborators, he further added.
He also maintained contact with Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, a Pakistani national who was expelled as an official of the Pakistan High Commission, Yadav posted.
Investigation revealed that Jasbir had attended the Pakistan National Day event organised in Delhi on Danish's invitation. He had also met Pakistani army officials and vloggers. Also, according to the police, he had visited Pakistan in 2020, 2021 and 2024.
Who Is Jasbir Singh?
Jasbir Singh Mahal, a resident of village Mahlan in Rupnagar, Punjab, operates the YouTube channel 'Jaan Mahal', which authorities have linked to individuals involved in a terror-backed espionage network. Born and raised in Punjab, Singh creates daily vlogs showcasing his travels and daily life. Through his channel, launched in 2008, he aims to share meaningful insights about Punjab and its culture with his 1.1 million subscribers. To date, he has uploaded 2,985 videos, featuring his visits to destinations like the Maldives, Singapore, Malaysia, and Jammu and Kashmir.
Jasbir Singh, who operates a YouTube channel called 'Jaan Mahal', has been found associated with PIO Shakir, alias Jutt Randhawa, part of a terror-backed espionage network.
Connection With Jyoti Malhotra
The police arrested YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra on May 16 under espionage charges, booking her under sections of the Official Secrets Act and Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita. She operated the channel 'Travel with Jo' and had contact with Danish. Following her arrest, Jasbir Singh, who had been in touch with Malhotra, attempted to erase their communication records.
The crackdown on spy networks follows the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, and the subsequent four-day military standoff with Pakistan.
