The case of Jyoti Malhotra, a Haryana-based YouTuber & Travel Blogger who has been arrested allegedly on espionage charges, has taken another turn. Preliminary information has revealed that Jyoti Malhotra was in contact with some PIOs and had shared major and important information with them.
On May 18, the Hisar Police released its first-ever press release following the arrest of the YouTuber.
According to the press release, the police seized three mobile phones, a laptop, and some other electronic devices from the accused. Along with this, Harkirat, a resident of Kurukshetra, was also called for questioning, who provides visa services. The police seized two mobile phones from Harkirat. However, he has not been arrested yet.
Further, it was revealed that the mobile phones, laptops, and electronic devices recovered from both accusers have been sent to the forensic lab for investigation, where diligent investigation is ongoing. The conclusion from the testing has not been handed over to the Hisar Police.
Reportedly, Jyoti is on a five-day remand, and the case is being investigated by the Hisar Police. Along with this, various central investigating agencies are also involved in Jyoti’s interrogation.
Hisar Police has also shared some facts, which have rejected several fake news stories that have been circulated on social media since the arrest of Jyoti Malhotra.
The statements by Police officials, which provided clarifications, are -
1. Police in Hisar are investigating the entire incident and have taken the accused into custody. While central investigation agencies periodically interrogate the accused, he has never been handed over to their custody.
2. So far, investigators have found no proof linking the accused to military, defence, or important security information.
3. The devices the police took have been delivered to the forensic lab, and the experts there are currently running tests on them. So far, the investigation findings have not been shared with the Hisar police. It is currently not possible to comment on the accused’s use of WhatsApp.
4. Police say they do not have the diary pages in question since they are not the ones showing them.
5. All four of the accused’s bank accounts are being investigated in detail. There is currently no comment regarding the money transactions.
6. The participation of the accused with people who were, in fact, PIOs is clear. So far, no proof has been uncovered proving that the accused was connected to a terrorist group. So far, there is no proof suggesting the accused was involved in terrorist activities.
7. It is unclear if the accused ever married anyone with an Indian passport or changed their religious beliefs.
The Superintendent of Police of Hisar has also outlined that the officials have been investigating the matter linked to national security. “All electronic, print, and social media are requested to exercise restraint in reporting and broadcast only the facts mentioned in the official press note. News based on sources and speculations should be broadcast only after official confirmation,” the police official mentioned.