New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday refused to grant bail to Haryana based YouTuber and travel vlogger Jyoti Malhotra, who is facing serious allegations of espionage and sharing sensitive information with Pakistani intelligence operatives. The apex court observed that there could be no compromise when it comes to national security and said the allegations against the accused were of a grave nature.
A Bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma dismissed Malhotra’s plea challenging an earlier Punjab and Haryana High Court order that had denied her bail in March this year. During the hearing, the court remarked that the accusations were extremely serious and that any defence put forward by the accused would be examined during the trial process.
Jyoti Malhotra, a resident of Hisar in Haryana, operated a travel focused YouTube channel named “Travel with Jo”. She was arrested in May 2025 following an investigation into her alleged links with Pakistani intelligence officials. According to investigators, she had been in contact with individuals connected to Pakistan and is accused of transmitting sensitive information.
The case has attracted significant attention due to the nature of the charges. Malhotra has been booked under Sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923, along with provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Investigating agencies have maintained that the matter concerns national security and requires detailed scrutiny.
Her counsel argued before the Supreme Court that she had remained in custody for more than a year and had no previous criminal record. The defence also sought relief on the grounds of prolonged incarceration. However, the court declined to interfere, holding that the seriousness of the allegations outweighed the arguments presented for bail at this stage.
The Supreme Court’s decision means that Malhotra will continue to remain in judicial custody while the trial and investigation proceed. The ruling also reinforces the judiciary’s position that cases involving allegations of espionage and threats to national security warrant a cautious approach during bail proceedings.