Thiruvananthapuram – The Kerala government has come under fire after an RTI revealed that Jyoti Malhotra, the travel vlogger arrested in May 2025 on espionage charges, was previously invited as a guest influencer under a state-funded tourism campaign. The initiative was part of Kerala Tourism’s effort to promote the state globally through digital creators.
Malhotra, now being probed for alleged links to Pakistani intelligence, had her travel, accommodation, food, and video production expenses covered during her official visit. She travelled to Kochi, Kannur, Kozhikode, Alappuzha, Munnar, and Thiruvananthapuram, creating content later uploaded to her YouTube channel Travel with Jo.
The arrest followed her alleged involvement in espionage activities linked to the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, which exposed her potential grooming as a Pakistani intelligence asset. One video that raised alarm showed Malhotra shopping in Lahore while being surrounded by armed escorts, far exceeding the security typically extended to a civilian traveller.
Political backlash and demands for accountability
The revelation prompted an aggressive response from opposition parties, especially the BJP, which has accused the Left-led Kerala government of negligence. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla posted on X:
“RTI reveals Pakistani spy Jyoti Malhotra visited Kerala on Left government invite & was state guest in a sense courtesy Tourism Dept. So Bharat Mata is blocked and Pak Spies are given RED CARPET by Left? Tourism Minister Mohammad Riyas is son-in-law of Vijayan. He should be sacked… and investigated.”
Minister defends tourism campaign
Tourism Minister PA Mohammed Riyas defended the influencer campaign, stating Malhotra was just one of 41 social media creators chosen in a transparent process.
“Everything was done in good faith. We never had any intelligence about her background. The allegation that we knowingly invited a spy is baseless,” he said.
Riyas also dismissed the criticism as “political propaganda”, aimed at discrediting Kerala’s tourism efforts.
Rising concerns over influencer vetting
The incident has raised urgent concerns about the vetting processes for influencer outreach programmes, particularly those involving state sponsorship. With the growing trend of governments using content creators to boost visibility, experts have called for stricter verification protocols.
Investigating agencies are now looking into whether any of Malhotra’s video footage, especially from strategically sensitive coastal regions, was used to collect or transmit sensitive information.
It is also being examined whether Malhotra’s visit to Pakistan just before the Pahalgam attack, and her visible access to security personnel there, indicate deeper ties than previously believed.
A wider pattern?
This is not the first such instance. Authorities have been increasingly wary of social media influencers being used as cover for information gathering or influence operations. Malhotra’s arrest has now prompted calls for a nationwide review of government-funded digital promotions involving individuals with foreign connections or unclear affiliations.