The Intelligence Agency (IB) reportedly coordinated with Puri police and had questioned Puri-based content creator Priyanka Senapti, who was suspected of having contact with arrested Haryana-based YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra and possibly leaked sensitive information from Odisha. Malhotra faces allegations of espionage in Pakistan.
Jyoti Malhotra, who allegedly established a key follower on social media, reportedly passed sensitive information about the Indian armed forces to Pakistani handlers. Investigators believe she has been engaged in espionage for years, acting as a channel for leaking confidential military and national security data.
After months of surveillance and intelligence gathering, Malhotra and six people were arrested. During the investigation, she appeared during her visit to Puri in September 2024, and she reportedly captured images and videos at Jagannath Temple and other major locations. Alerts were issued within the security community due to concerns that sensitive visual effects and geospatial data might have been passed to foreign intelligence operators.
In response, IB initiated parallel detectors in Odisha. To this end, Priyanka Senapti was called to ask about her connection with Malhotra. Investigators are exploring whether she is interested in participating or unknowingly attracting the so-called chain of information. Communication records, online interactions and possible data exchanges are currently under careful scrutiny.
Security sources further suspect Malhotra may have used advanced digital tools to collect and transmit strategic data during Odisha’s visit. Given Puri’s distance from several governments and defense facilities, agencies are working to determine whether any critical information has been compromised.
Priyanka Senapti responded on social media: “Jyoti is a professional acquaintance I met through YouTube. I don’t know what she calls an activity. If I knew, I would cut all contact immediately. I will work completely with the investigation.”
Former Odisha DGP Sanjeev Marik called the case “sensitive” and said investigators will focus on mapping Malhotra’s network.
“The authorities will thoroughly check her digital devices and track her contacts. Odisha has removed the Sim Box racket in the past, so all possible links will be investigated,” he said. He said.
As the detector expands, the safety mechanism remains in a high alert state. More arrests and disclosures are expected in the coming days.
