New Delhi : Punjab Police on Wednesday arrested another YouTuber, Jasbir Singh, who runs the channel “Jaan Mahal” with over 1.1 million subscribers, for his alleged involvement in a Pakistan-backed espionage network, officials said. Jasbir Singh is the second digital content creator to be arrested in recent weeks, after Haryana-based Jyoti Malhotra, with whom he was also in regular contact.
According to Punjab Police, Jasbir Singh was closely linked to Pakistani intelligence officer Shakir alias Jutt Randhawa, a person of Indian origin suspected to be operating for Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Singh also maintained ties with Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, a Pakistani national and former official at the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi who was previously expelled on espionage charges.
Forensic analysis of his electronic devices has revealed several Pakistan-based contact numbers, now under investigation, officials said. Following Jyoti Malhotra’s arrest, Singh allegedly attempted to delete all traces of communication with ISI-linked operatives. Police say they are working to expose the full extent of the espionage-terror network and identify all individuals involved.
“Jasbir Singh, who operates a #YouTube channel called “Jaan Mahal”, has been found associated with PIO Shakir alias Jutt Randhawa, part of a terror-backed espionage network. He also maintained close contact with #Haryana-based #YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra (arrested for spying) and Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, a #Pakistani national and expelled Pak High Commission official,” Punjab Police said in a post on X.
“Investigations are underway to dismantle the broader espionage-terror network and identify all collaborators,” it added. So far, Punjab Police has arrested seven people for allegedly spying for Pakistan. Falaksher Masih, and Suraj Masih had been arrested from Ajnala in Amritsar and 31-year-old woman Guzala and Yameen Mohamad, both residents of Malerkotla, had also been taken into custody last month.