The Supreme Court refused bail to YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, citing serious allegations of sharing sensitive information with Pakistani intelligence operatives
June 5, 2026: The Supreme Court on Friday denied bail to travel vlogger and YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, who is accused of passing sensitive information to Pakistani intelligence operatives. A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and SC Sharma termed the allegations against her “very serious” and observed that national security concerns outweighed her request for release. The court dismissed her challenge to a Punjab and Haryana High Court order that had earlier refused her bail.
Malhotra’s lawyer argued that she had remained in custody for over a year and had no previous criminal record. However, the Supreme Court noted that the case involved alleged contacts with individuals linked to Pakistani intelligence and referred to claims that she maintained regular communication with a Pakistan High Commission official who was later expelled from India. The bench stated that any defence she wished to raise could be presented during trial and not at the bail stage.
According to investigators, Malhotra allegedly shared information related to strategic installations, including the Pandoh Dam and security establishments, and remained in contact with Pakistani operatives through multiple social media platforms. Police claim forensic analysis of her devices revealed deleted conversations and suspicious financial transactions. She faces charges under the Official Secrets Act and Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, dealing with acts that threaten the sovereignty and integrity of India.