Jyoti Rani, alias Jyoti Malhotra, faces allegations of passing sensitive information to Pakistan Intelligence Agency; court cites gravity of charges.
In a significant ruling, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has denied bail to Jyoti Rani, also known as Jyoti Malhotra, a YouTuber accused of espionage and engaging in anti-national activities. The court dismissed her bail plea, emphasizing the serious nature of the charges and the prima facie evidence of her involvement in espionage activities that allegedly endangered India's sovereignty and unity.
The case against Jyoti Rani emerged from an FIR registered on May 16, 2025, alleging her involvement in passing sensitive information to the Pakistan Intelligence Agency. According to the prosecution, Rani, through her YouTube channel "Travel-with-Jo," came into contact with an official from the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi. She reportedly visited Pakistan on two occasions, where she allegedly communicated with intelligence officers and shared sensitive information.
The prosecution presented evidence including social media communications and the recovery of electronic gadgets that purportedly connected Rani to the espionage activities. The court noted that the allegations involved videographies of strategic locations such as the Pandoh Dam, CRPF Centre, and the Golden Temple, which were shared with operatives of the Pakistan Intelligence Agency.
The court relied on Sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923, which presume involvement in communicating with foreign agents, to justify its decision. The court also considered Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which deals with acts endangering India's sovereignty and unity, as Rani was accused of encouraging separatist activities.
The defense argued that the prosecution's case was based on an "imaginary story" and that the petitioner had been falsely implicated. They emphasized her lack of criminal background and prolonged incarceration as grounds for bail. However, the court was not persuaded, citing the seriousness of the charges and the evidence collected, including Rani's efforts to delete communication details from her devices.
The court underscored that the nature of the offenses under the Official Secrets Act, related to state security, warranted a strict approach. It referenced previous judgments by the Supreme Court, which emphasized the gravity of such offenses and the reluctance to grant bail in similar cases.
In conclusion, the High Court dismissed Jyoti Rani's bail petition, asserting that her conduct, the gravity of the offense, and the evidence against her did not merit the concession of bail. The court clarified that the observations made were not to be construed as an opinion on the merits of the case itself.
Bottom Line:
Bail petition dismissed for alleged involvement in espionage and anti-national activities, including passing sensitive information to foreign intelligence agencies.
Statutory provision(s): Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 Section 483, Official Secrets Act, 1923 Sections 3, 4, 5, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 Section 152
