Punjab Police Arrest Rupnagar YouTuber for Sharing Sensitive Army Info with Pak ISI
Chandigarh, June 4,
Crackdown on Espionage Threat
As part of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s ongoing mission to ensure Punjab’s safety and security, Punjab Police’s State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) SAS Nagar has made a major breakthrough by arresting a Rupnagar-based YouTube influencer for espionage activities linked to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The arrest was announced by Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav on Wednesday.
Profile of the Accused
The accused, Jasbir Singh alias Jaan Mahal, aged 41, is a resident of Village Mahlan in Rupnagar. He ran a YouTube channel named “JaanMahal Video,” boasting over 11 lakh subscribers, where he posted travel and cooking vlogs to mask his spying operations.
DGP Gaurav Yadav revealed that Jasbir was directly linked to Pakistani Intelligence Operative (PIO) Shakir alias Jutt Randhawa, part of a terror-supported espionage network. Jasbir also had connections with Haryana-based YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, previously arrested for spying by Haryana Police, and Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, a Pakistani national and expelled Pak High Commission official.
Espionage Activities Uncovered
Investigations showed that Jasbir attended a Pakistan National Day event in Delhi on Danish’s invitation, where he met Pakistani Army officials and vloggers. He visited Pakistan three times—in 2020, 2021, and 2024—where ISI officers recruited him for espionage activities in India. After Jyoti Malhotra’s arrest, Jasbir tried to erase evidence of his communications with PIOs to avoid detection.
DGP Yadav confirmed that Jasbir shared sensitive details about Indian Army movements and activities with his Pakistani handlers. Efforts are ongoing to dismantle the broader espionage-terror network and identify other collaborators.
Operational Details and Evidence
Assistant Inspector General (AIG) SSOC SAS Nagar Dr. Ravjot Grewal provided details of the operation, stating that SSOC teams acted on credible intelligence about Jasbir’s links with Pakistan-based entities, including ISI agents. An intelligence-driven operation led to his arrest, and his mobile device was recovered.
Forensic analysis of the phone uncovered around 150 Pakistan contacts, including numbers of ISI agents, Pak High Commission officials, and other entities. Jasbir had deleted critical digital evidence—such as chats, contacts, and documents shared with Pakistani handlers—but technical recovery and forensic examination are in progress to retrieve the deleted data and assess the extent of the leaked information.
AIG Grewal added that Jasbir used his YouTube platform as a cover to transmit sensitive information about the Indian Army to Pakistani handlers. She also noted that Jasbir met Jyoti Malhotra at a 2024 event hosted by the Pakistan embassy, and the two later traveled to Pakistan together. The investigation continues to explore potential accomplices, digital trails, and foreign connections.
Legal Proceedings
A case has been registered against Jasbir Singh under FIR No. 5, dated June 3, 2025, at Police Station SSOC SAS Nagar. He faces charges under Sections 152 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Official Secrets Act.
