Following the arrest of Haryana-based YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra on charges of spying for Pakistan, Puri-based YouTuber and student Priyanka Senapati has come under the scanner for her past association with the accused.
Priyanka’s family has confirmed that she is cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation being conducted by central intelligence agencies and local police. Speaking to reporters, Priyanka’s father Rajkishore Senapati said he was contacted by the local police on Saturday regarding his daughter’s interactions with Malhotra during her visit to Odisha in September 2024.
“My daughter had developed a friendship with Jyoti through YouTube. She accompanied her to various locations in Puri as a friend. It was a professional relationship. We had no knowledge about Jyoti’s alleged espionage activities,” said Rajkishore.
Jyoti Malhotra, who ran a popular travel vlog under the name ‘Travel With Jo’, was arrested in Hisar, Haryana, for allegedly leaking sensitive military information to Pakistan. She is one of six individuals arrested in connection with the case, according to police.
Security footage has surfaced showing Malhotra’s visit to Puri’s Jagannath Temple (Srimandir) during her trip last year. Intelligence Bureau (IB) officials, in collaboration with Puri Police, have questioned Priyanka to gather details about Malhotra’s movements and contacts during the visit.
Reports also indicate that Priyanka had visited Pakistan’s Kartarpur Sahib corridor three to four months ago for content creation. Her father confirmed she traveled there with valid documents and another individual, adding that many YouTubers make similar trips for videos.
“My daughter also visited Sri Lanka earlier with family. She is a student and had no idea about Jyoti’s alleged involvement in spying. If she had known, she would never have stayed in contact,” said Rajkishore.
In a social media statement, Priyanka clarified that she had no prior knowledge of Malhotra’s activities.
“Jyoti was just a friend I met through content creation. I’m shocked by the news of her arrest. I’m cooperating with authorities and will assist further if needed,” she wrote.
Authorities have not filed any charges against Priyanka Senapati, but she remains under observation as a potential witness or person of interest in the broader investigation into Jyoti Malhotra’s alleged espionage activities.
The case has highlighted the potential vulnerabilities in digital creator networks and the cross-border misuse of influencer platforms.
