Indian YouTuber Jasbir Singh Arrested Over Alleged Espionage Links with Pakistan
In a widening crackdown, Indian authorities have arrested popular YouTuber Jasbir Singh from Punjab, accusing him of sharing sensitive information with Pakistan. This follows the earlier arrest of another content creator, Jyoti Malhotra, with whom Singh is believed to have worked.
According to local reports, both individuals allegedly maintained ties with Pakistani operatives and may have used their social media platforms to gather and pass along confidential data. While officials have yet to disclose the nature of the information shared, the case is being treated as a national security concern.
Jasbir Singh, a 41-year-old resident of Rupnagar and creator of the YouTube channel JaanMahal Video with over 1.1 million subscribers, is known for his travel vlogs from destinations like Thailand, Malaysia, and the Maldives. He also has a visible presence on Instagram and Facebook, with content focused on food, cricket, and local causes such as farmer support.
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The arrests have sparked significant backlash both domestically and internationally. Critics argue that the government is using vague espionage allegations as a tool to silence dissent and deflect criticism surrounding the controversial Operation Sindoor. No concrete evidence has been made public so far, fueling fears of due process violations and a chilling effect on free speech.
Civil liberties advocates warn that such actions risk setting dangerous precedents for content creators and influencers across India. A former intelligence officer, speaking anonymously, suggested the government may be scapegoating these figures to shift focus from its own failures.
The investigation remains ongoing, with Indian intelligence agencies reportedly considering further arrests as part of an expanded probe.
