Shocking: Spy Jyoti Malhotra Was Invited As State Tourism Influencer By Kerala Government As Per RTI
In a surprising development, it has come to light that Jyoti Malhotra who is under arrest for espionage, was invited by the Kerala government!
In a surprising development, it has come to light that Jyoti Malhotra a travel vlogger now under arrest for alleged espionage, was invited by the Kerala government as part of an official tourism influencer campaign. According to Right to Information (RTI) documents, Jyoti Malhotra was among 41 influencers selected by the state to promote Kerala’s tourism between January 2024 and May 2025.
It is being reported that her entire trip, including travel, accommodation, meals, and video production support, was fully sponsored by the government through Kerala Tourism’s outreach program aimed at boosting the state’s global visibility. Malhotra, who hails from Sirsa in Haryana, was arrested on May 16 following national intelligence operations related to suspected spying activities.
Tourism Minister PA Mohammad Riyas responded to growing criticism, stating the government had no prior information regarding Malhotra’s alleged background at the time of the campaign. He emphasized that the influencer list was prepared by a private agency, and the selection process did not involve direct screening by ministers or senior officials. “The allegations surfaced only after her arrest. No one had any inkling about her possible connections earlier,” he said.
Also Read: Espionage Case: YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra’s Bail Plea Declined By Hisar Court
However, the matter has triggered political uproar. The BJP sharply criticised the Left-led government for failing to conduct thorough background checks on participants of state-funded programs.
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For the unversed, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) also expressed dismay, arguing that the government had failed in its basic responsibility to vet individuals before granting them official access. IUML leader PK Firos condemned what he described as a dismissive attitude from the tourism department when questioned about the screening process. During her state-sponsored assignment, Jyoti Malhotra visited multiple locations including Kochi, Alappuzha, Munnar, Kozhikode, and Kannur, and reportedly received an honorarium in addition to travel costs.
Also Read: Arrested For Alleged Espionage Case, Jyoti Malhotra’s Police Remand Extended Till June 23: Reports
First Published: July 07, 2025 3:05 PM
