Singh is the second digital content creator arrested in recent weeks in connection with this espionage case.
Who is YouTuber Jasbir Singh Jaan Mahal, arrested in Spy case? In a shocking development, Jasbir Singh, a popular Punjabi YouTuber with over 1.1 million subscribers on his channel “Jaan Mahal”, has been arrested by Punjab Police on charges of espionage and sent to 3-day custody. Singh is accused of being part of a Pakistan-backed spy network with alleged ties to terror outfits and foreign intelligence operatives.
The arrest was made by the State Special Operations Cell (SSOC) in Mohali after intelligence inputs pointed to Singh’s deepening involvement in cross-border activities.
Second YouTuber Held in Ongoing Spy Probe
Singh is the second digital content creator arrested in recent weeks in connection with this espionage case. He was reportedly in frequent contact with Jyoti Malhotra, a Hisar-based travel vlogger who was also arrested earlier under the Official Secrets Act for her alleged links with Pakistani intelligence officials.
Malhotra, who ran the YouTube channel “Travel with JO”, is accused of maintaining contact with Danish (Ehsan-ur-Rahim), a staffer at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi who was expelled by India on May 13 for spying.
From YouTube Fame to Espionage Allegations
Hailing from Mahlan village in Rupnagar district, Jasbir Singh rose to fame as a YouTuber through his storytelling and local interest videos. But behind the online persona, Punjab Police say he was in contact with Shakir alias Jutt Randhawa, a Pakistan-based intelligence operative of Indian origin with suspected ties to the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). (Who is YouTuber Jasbir Singh Jaan Mahal, arrested in Spy case latest news)
Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav revealed in a statement that Singh had also established a line of communication with Danish, the expelled Pakistani diplomat.
Pakistan Visits and Embassy Connections
Investigators confirmed that Jasbir Singh traveled to Pakistan three times—in 2020, 2021, and 2024. On one occasion, he attended a Pakistan National Day celebration hosted at the Pakistani Embassy in Delhi, where he is believed to have interacted with Pakistani Army officials and vloggers.
After the arrest of Jyoti Malhotra, Singh allegedly tried to erase all digital traces of communication with foreign handlers. However, a forensic investigation of his devices revealed numerous Pakistan-based phone numbers, which are now under deeper scrutiny.
Police Statement and Wider Espionage Network
“Jasbir Singh, who operates the YouTube channel ‘Jaan Mahal’, has been found associated with Person of Interest (PIO) Shakir alias Jutt Randhawa, and maintained communication with Danish,” read an official police statement.
Police sources confirmed that Singh’s arrest is part of a larger crackdown on a terror-backed espionage network, believed to be operating across Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. The operation involves collaboration between Punjab Police, Intelligence Bureau, NIA, and military intelligence agencies.
National Security Threat
The developments have sparked concern over how social media platforms are increasingly being exploited by foreign intelligence to plant sympathizers and information conduits in India.
“Punjab Police reaffirms its unwavering commitment to safeguarding national security and neutralizing all threats posed by such anti-national elements,” said DGP Gaurav Yadav.
With investigations still ongoing, authorities expect more names to emerge in what is being termed as one of the biggest digital espionage cases to surface in recent times.
