A travel blogger from Hisar, Haryana, has been arrested for allegedly passing sensitive information to Pakistani intelligence operatives. The case has brought to light her links with Ehsan-ur-Rahim, also known as Danish, a Pakistani official working at the High Commission in New Delhi.
The accused, Jyoti Malhotra, who runs the YouTube channel Travel With Jo, was charged under the Official Secrets Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. She has been remanded to police custody for five days following her confession.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-travel-vlogger-jyoti-malhotra-travel-with-jo-arrested-for-spying-for-pakistan-india-pakistan-tensions-operation-sindoor-9078809" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Indian travel vlogger arrested for allegedly spying for Pakistan: Who is she and what are the charges against her?</a>
<h2>Who is Danish and how was he involved?</h2>
According to the FIR filed at Hisar&rsquo;s Civil Lines police station, Malhotra met Ehsan-ur-Rahim during a 2023 visit to the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi. Identified as a staffer there, Rahim, alias Danish, allegedly acted as her handler with Pakistani intelligence.
The FIR says, &ldquo;The woman revealed that she remained in touch with Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish and during her Pakistan visit in 2023, she met Ali Ehwan, who ensured my staying and travelling in Pakistan. Ehwan introduced her to Pakistani security and intelligence officials, where she also met with Shakir and Rana Shahbaz.&rdquo;
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<h2>India expels Rahim for espionage</h2>
On 13 May 2025, the Indian government declared Rahim persona non grata and expelled him. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that a formal protest had been lodged with the Pakistan High Commission.
&ldquo;The Government of India has declared a Pakistani official, working at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, persona non grata for indulging in activities not in keeping with his official status in India. The official has been asked to leave India within 24 hours,&rdquo; read the MEA statement.
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<h2>Malhotra&rsquo;s video shows her close ties with Rahim</h2>
A video posted by Malhotra on 30 March last year shows her close relationship with Rahim. In the video, recorded during an Iftar party at the Pakistan High Commission, she is seen warmly interacting with Rahim and his wife.
Rahim was seen introducing her to his wife, after which they talked&nbsp;about Pakistan Day celebrations. &ldquo;I am very happy after getting such a grand welcome and these arrangements,&rdquo; Malhotra said in the video, to which Rahim responded, &ldquo;This is how Pakistanis are.&rdquo;
Malhotra was also seen inviting Rahim and his wife to her home in Hisar. &ldquo;Come see the hospitality in our village. It&rsquo;s very similar,&rdquo; she told them.
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Throughout the video, Malhotra says that she is eager to visit Pakistan. She asked several attendees whether they had been to the country, adding, &ldquo;I want to go, too,&rdquo; and &ldquo;Hopefully I will get a visa, we&rsquo;ll go together.&rdquo;
She also engaged with Chinese officials, asking them for a visa as well, &ldquo;Give me visa!&rdquo; she said.

India news: According to the FIR filed at Hisar’s Civil Lines police station, Jyoti Malhotra met Ehsan-ur-Rahim during a 2023 visit to the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi.

A travel blogger from Hisar, Haryana, has been arrested for allegedly passing sensitive information to Pakistani intelligence operatives. The case has brought to light her links with Ehsan-ur-Rahim, also known as Danish, a Pakistani official working at the High Commission in New Delhi. The accused, Jyoti Malhotra, who runs the YouTube channel Travel With Jo, was charged under the Official Secrets Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. She has been remanded to police custody for five days following her confession. Also read: Indian travel vlogger arrested for allegedly spying for Pakistan: Who is she and what are the charges against her? Who is Danish and how was he involved? According to the FIR filed at Hisar’s Civil Lines police station, Malhotra met Ehsan-ur-Rahim during a 2023 visit to the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi. Identified as a staffer there, Rahim, alias Danish, allegedly acted as her handler with Pakistani intelligence. The FIR says, “The woman revealed that she remained in touch with Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish and during her Pakistan visit in 2023, she met Ali Ehwan, who ensured my staying and travelling in Pakistan. Ehwan introduced her to Pakistani security and intelligence officials, where she also met with Shakir and Rana Shahbaz.” Also read: 'More Muslims in India than Pakistan': Owaisi slams Turkey for backing Pak, says '220 million Muslims living here' India expels Rahim for espionage On 13 May 2025, the Indian government declared Rahim persona non grata and expelled him. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that a formal protest had been lodged with the Pakistan High Commission. “The Government of India has declared a Pakistani official, working at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, persona non grata for indulging in activities not in keeping with his official status in India. The official has been asked to leave India within 24 hours,” read the MEA statement. Also read: 'Danger for humanity': Owaisi slams Pakistan’s Islamic image as he joins Centre's anti-terror all-party delegations to foreign countries Malhotra’s video shows her close ties with Rahim A video posted by Malhotra on 30 March last year shows her close relationship with Rahim. In the video, recorded during an Iftar party at the Pakistan High Commission, she is seen warmly interacting with Rahim and his wife. Rahim was seen introducing her to his wife, after which they talked about Pakistan Day celebrations. “I am very happy after getting such a grand welcome and these arrangements,” Malhotra said in the video, to which Rahim responded, “This is how Pakistanis are.” Malhotra was also seen inviting Rahim and his wife to her home in Hisar. “Come see the hospitality in our village. It’s very similar,” she told them. Also read: India restricts Bangladesh garment imports to Kolkata, Mumbai seaports, curbs Northeast land ports Throughout the video, Malhotra says that she is eager to visit Pakistan. She asked several attendees whether they had been to the country, adding, “I want to go, too,” and “Hopefully I will get a visa, we’ll go together.” She also engaged with Chinese officials, asking them for a visa as well, “Give me visa!” she said.

Who is Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish? Expelled Pakistani diplomat linked to Indian YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra accused of spying

India on Tuesday (May 13) declared a Pakistani diplomat posted at the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-pakistan-nationals-depart-india-after-meas-leave-india-notice-9008301" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Pakistan High Commission</a> in New Delhi as persona non grata and ordered him to leave the country within 24 hours. 
The decision comes in the wake of heightened tensions following the recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir and India&rsquo;s military response across the border.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, &ldquo;The Government of India has declared a Pakistani official, working at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, persona non grata for indulging in activities not in keeping with his official status in India. The official has been asked to leave India within 24 hours. Charge d&rsquo; Affaires, Pakistan High Commission, was issued a demarche to this effect today.&rdquo;
Hours later, In a tit-for-tat move, Pakistan expelled an Indian High Commission staffer in Islamabad on expected lines.
"The Government of Pakistan has declared a staff member of the Indian High Commission, Islamabad, as persona non grata for engaging in activities incompatible with his privileged status. The concerned official has been directed to leave Pakistan within 24 hours," Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said.
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<h2>Move follows Operation Sindoor and recent ceasefire</h2>
The expulsion comes just days after India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire on May 10, following India's large-scale cross-border operation, named Operation Sindoor. The operation targeted terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), and was launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, where 26 civilians were killed in the Baisaran Valley.
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<h2>Diplomatic action began after Pahalgam attack</h2>
Following the Pahalgam attack, India summoned Pakistan&rsquo;s senior diplomat, Saad Ahmad Warraich, and handed over a formal note on 22 April, declaring Pakistan&rsquo;s military diplomats persona non grata. This latest move appears to be a continuation of that diplomatic response.
<h2>What does &lsquo;persona non grata&rsquo; mean?</h2>
Persona non grata is a Latin term meaning &ldquo;an unwelcome person.&rdquo; In diplomatic terms, it refers to someone whose presence is no longer acceptable in the host country. It&rsquo;s one of the most serious forms of censure in diplomatic relations and often results in immediate expulsion.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mea-briefing-india-pakistan-jk-donald-trump-india-pakistan-ceasefire-operation-sindoor-live-9065048" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">&lsquo;Our policy has not changed&rsquo;: MEA says J&amp;K is 'bilateral issue' between India, Pakistan - Did India dismiss Trump&rsquo;s ceasefire claim?</a>

India news: The expulsion comes just days after India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire on May 10, following India's large-scale cross-border operation, named Operation Sindoor.

India on Tuesday (May 13) declared a Pakistani diplomat posted at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi as persona non grata and ordered him to leave the country within 24 hours. The decision comes in the wake of heightened tensions following the recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir and India’s military response across the border. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, “The Government of India has declared a Pakistani official, working at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, persona non grata for indulging in activities not in keeping with his official status in India. The official has been asked to leave India within 24 hours. Charge d’ Affaires, Pakistan High Commission, was issued a demarche to this effect today.” Hours later, In a tit-for-tat move, Pakistan expelled an Indian High Commission staffer in Islamabad on expected lines. "The Government of Pakistan has declared a staff member of the Indian High Commission, Islamabad, as persona non grata for engaging in activities incompatible with his privileged status. The concerned official has been directed to leave Pakistan within 24 hours," Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said. Also read: F-16 in fine print: How much Pakistan paid and how much profit US made? | A brief history of US-Pakistan F-16 deals Move follows Operation Sindoor and recent ceasefire The expulsion comes just days after India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire on May 10, following India's large-scale cross-border operation, named Operation Sindoor. The operation targeted terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), and was launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, where 26 civilians were killed in the Baisaran Valley. Also read: WION DataLabs: Pakistan got $22 billion from the IMF in 25 years, but spent $185 billion on its military Diplomatic action began after Pahalgam attack Following the Pahalgam attack, India summoned Pakistan’s senior diplomat, Saad Ahmad Warraich, and handed over a formal note on 22 April, declaring Pakistan’s military diplomats persona non grata. This latest move appears to be a continuation of that diplomatic response. What does ‘persona non grata’ mean? Persona non grata is a Latin term meaning “an unwelcome person.” In diplomatic terms, it refers to someone whose presence is no longer acceptable in the host country. It’s one of the most serious forms of censure in diplomatic relations and often results in immediate expulsion. Also read: ‘Our policy has not changed’: MEA says J&K is 'bilateral issue' between India, Pakistan - Did India dismiss Trump’s ceasefire claim?

Pakistan expels Indian diplomat in tit-for-tat move hours after New Delhi declares Pakistani diplomat ‘persona non grata’

This is with reference to an article that was carried on Wionews.com. 
&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 
On January 9, 2021, we carried a news report, ‘Ex-Pakistani diplomat admits 300 terrorists died in Balakot airstrike’ provided by News Agency ANI, which said that a former Pakistani diplomat Zafar Hilaly admitted on a news television show that 300 terrorists had died in the Balakot airstrike on February 26, 2019.&nbsp;

The aforementioned claim is false and was based on a spliced video clip of Hilaly speaking to Pakistani channel Hum News in December, last year.

News agency ANI had done the article, titled 'Former Pak diplomat admits 300 casualties in Balakot airstrike by India'.&nbsp;

The report is not true.

Wionews.com has deleted the said article and has instituted stringent protocols to ensure such errors are not repeated.

This is with reference to an article that was carried on Wionews.com. On January 9, 2021, we carried a news report, ‘Ex-Pakistani diplomat admits 300 terrorists died in Balakot airstrike’ provided by News Agency ANI, which said that a former Pakistani diplomat Zafar Hilaly admitted on a news television show that 300 terrorists had died in the Balakot airstrike on February 26, 2019.

This is with reference to an article that was carried on Wionews.com. On January 9, 2021, we carried a news report, ‘Ex-Pakistani diplomat admits 300 terrorists died in Balakot airstrike’ provided by News Agency ANI, which said that a former Pakistani diplomat Zafar Hilaly admitted on a news television show that 300 terrorists had died in the Balakot airstrike on February 26, 2019. The aforementioned claim is false and was based on a spliced video clip of Hilaly speaking to Pakistani channel Hum News in December, last year. News agency ANI had done the article, titled 'Former Pak diplomat admits 300 casualties in Balakot airstrike by India'. The report is not true. Wionews.com has deleted the said article and has instituted stringent protocols to ensure such errors are not repeated.

Corrigendum on story about a statement of Pakistani diplomat Zafar Hilaly

After Ukraine, Pakistani diplomats have been caught in the tight spot again and this time in Africa. A local report in Zimbabwe has said that a Pakistani diplomat in the country has been involved in human trafficking.

"The Standard" of Zimbabwe reported that one Pakistan origin businessman Main Sohail Qaiser "tipped off the immigration officers that (3 Pakistanis)... intended to cross the border illegally with the alleged help of Waqas Ahmed, a Pakistani diplomat based in Harare, who is, however, still employed by the embassy."

Three Pakistanis were arrested on October 2019 sparking tensions between Harare and Islamabad with all 3 being tried in a court and being sentenced to 90 days in prison. &nbsp;What has caused the alarm for the Pakistani mission was that Qaiser had interviewed the detainees in the presence of immigration officials and the interview the women had criticised Pakistan govt as a "facilitator of human trafficking" according to the report. The videos later got circulated in the country and local south Asian community causing embarrassment for the mission.&nbsp;

The Pakistan mission had taken the matter with Zimbabwe’s Foreign Affairs ministry. In a letter as quoted by the newspaper, the Pakistani mission had said, "It is astonishing to note Mian Sohail Qaiser’s access to official and confidential documents in the highly sensitive institution like immigration and (the) foreign office (sic).”

The mission had sent several diplomatic notes between November 2019 and May 2020 requesting a meeting with Zimbabwe's Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga and Foreign Affairs minister Sibusiso Moyo. 
 
Meanwhile, Qaiser has accused the Pakistani mission in running a human trafficking cartel and claimed the 2 women were to travel to neighbouring Malawi from Zimbabwe and were later supposed to be "smuggled into South Africa with the help of Pakistani missions in both Malawi and Zimbabwe"

“They are criminals and they are engaged with the videos because I exposed to their country what they are doing here in Zimbabwe,” Qaiser said according to the newspaper.&nbsp;

Earlier this month, a Pakistani foreign service officer, Waqar Ahmad posted in Pakistani mission in Ukraine was sacked by the govt in Islamabad over sexual harassment charges. He was involved in harassment of a local cleaner and involved in "abuse of authority", a Pakistani govt notification said.

After Ukraine, Pakistani diplomats have been caught in the tight spot again and this time in Africa. A local report in Zimbabwe has said that a Pakistani diplomat in the country has been involved in human trafficking.

After Ukraine, Pakistani diplomats have been caught in the tight spot again and this time in Africa. A local report in Zimbabwe has said that a Pakistani diplomat in the country has been involved in human trafficking. "The Standard" of Zimbabwe reported that one Pakistan origin businessman Main Sohail Qaiser "tipped off the immigration officers that (3 Pakistanis)... intended to cross the border illegally with the alleged help of Waqas Ahmed, a Pakistani diplomat based in Harare, who is, however, still employed by the embassy." Three Pakistanis were arrested on October 2019 sparking tensions between Harare and Islamabad with all 3 being tried in a court and being sentenced to 90 days in prison. What has caused the alarm for the Pakistani mission was that Qaiser had interviewed the detainees in the presence of immigration officials and the interview the women had criticised Pakistan govt as a "facilitator of human trafficking" according to the report. The videos later got circulated in the country and local south Asian community causing embarrassment for the mission. The Pakistan mission had taken the matter with Zimbabwe’s Foreign Affairs ministry. In a letter as quoted by the newspaper, the Pakistani mission had said, "It is astonishing to note Mian Sohail Qaiser’s access to official and confidential documents in the highly sensitive institution like immigration and (the) foreign office (sic).” The mission had sent several diplomatic notes between November 2019 and May 2020 requesting a meeting with Zimbabwe's Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga and Foreign Affairs minister Sibusiso Moyo. Meanwhile, Qaiser has accused the Pakistani mission in running a human trafficking cartel and claimed the 2 women were to travel to neighbouring Malawi from Zimbabwe and were later supposed to be "smuggled into South Africa with the help of Pakistani missions in both Malawi and Zimbabwe" “They are criminals and they are engaged with the videos because I exposed to their country what they are doing here in Zimbabwe,” Qaiser said according to the newspaper. Earlier this month, a Pakistani foreign service officer, Waqar Ahmad posted in Pakistani mission in Ukraine was sacked by the govt in Islamabad over sexual harassment charges. He was involved in harassment of a local cleaner and involved in "abuse of authority", a Pakistani govt notification said.

After Ukraine, Pakistani diplomat in Zimbabwe embarrasses Islamabad as human trafficking link surfaces