Kumar Bahukhandi
Jyoti Malhotra and Priyanka Senapati- File Photo
After the arrest of Haryana’s YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra on charges of spying for Pakistan, intelligence agencies have extended the scope of investigation to Odisha.
Questions have also been raised on the role of Puri’s YouTuber Priyanka Senapati in this case. Actually, Jyoti had traveled to Puri and made photos and videos of many places there. Agencies are trying to find out whether all this was happening with Priyanka’s knowledge?
According to sources, Jyoti Malhotra visited Puri in September 2024. During this time she took pictures and made videos of the Jagannath temple and the government premises around it. Security agencies suspect that information about these places was sent to operatives in Pakistan through digital platforms. Investigative agencies also suspect that Jyoti met or was in contact with Priyanka Senapati during this period.
Jyoti Malhotra and Priyanka Senapati- File Photo
The Intelligence Bureau (IB) has started an investigation in collaboration with the Puri Police after suspicious links between Jyoti Malhotra and content creator Priyanka Senapati of Puri, Odisha came to light. Jyoti visited Puri in September 2024.
During this time, photographs and videos of many important places including the Jagannath temple and nearby government establishments were captured. Security agencies suspect that sensitive scenes and data from these places can be sent to foreign operatives. IB officers have questioned Puri YouTuber Priyanka Senapati in connection with the investigation in this connection.
Priyanka Senapati gave clarification
Puri’s YouTuber Priyanka Senapati, who came under the scope of investigation, came live on social media and clarified her position. She said that Jyoti was just a YouTube friend of mine. I was unaware of any of her wrongdoings. If I had known that she was spying for the enemy country, I would not have kept any contact with her. Priyanka further said that I knew her only through professional content. I am personally surprised by this news. I am ready to fully cooperate in the investigation.
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Jyoti Malhotra and Priyanka Senapati- File Photo
After Jyoti’s arrest and Priyanka’s interrogation, intelligence agencies have increased surveillance of Puri, Bhubaneswar and other tourist places where foreign nationals or suspicious people easily roam around. Especially such content creators are being monitored, who use drones, DSLR and professional cameras.
Security experts say that this case points to a new type of threat, in which social media is being used by cyber-agents to collect and send information. A security officer said that today’s spy does not come from any border, he is behind the screen of your phone.
According to the investigating agencies, this case may be part of a big conspiracy, to get to the bottom of which investigation is going on in many places from Odisha to Haryana. If it is proved that any kind of information reached or was shared with Priyanka Senapati, then more arrests can be made in this case. At present, the conversation, social media interaction and data sharing between the two are being investigated in depth.
