MOHALI, India (Diya TV) — Jasbir Singh, a Punjab-based YouTuber with over 1 million subscribers on his channel Jaan Mahal, has been arrested for alleged involvement in a terror-linked espionage network backed by Pakistani handlers, according to Punjab Police.

The 37-year-old resident of Mahlan village in Rupnagar district was taken into custody by the State Special Operations Cell (SSOC) in Mohali and remanded to three days of police custody. He will be produced in court again on June 7.

According to Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav, the arrest follows an extensive investigation that uncovered Singh’s alleged links with Pakistani intelligence operatives and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) working as conduits for the ISI. “Jasbir Singh maintained close contact with several PIOs, including Haryana-based YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra and Shakir alias Jutt Randhawa, both suspected of collaborating with Pakistani handlers,” Yadav posted on X.

The police claim Singh was also in touch with Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, a Pakistani national and expelled official from the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi. Officials say Danish invited Singh to the Pakistan National Day event held in Delhi, where he interacted with Pakistani Army officials and vloggers. Investigators allege Singh traveled to Pakistan on three occasions — in 2020, 2021, and 2024 — and attempted to erase all communication records following Malhotra’s arrest last month.

“Jasbir Singh tried to cover his tracks after the arrest of Jyoti Malhotra, deleting messages and call logs connected to the PIOs. However, we have recovered key data linking him to a broader espionage network,” said the DGP.

Singh’s electronic devices, now under forensic analysis, reportedly contain multiple Pakistan-based phone numbers. The FIR registered in Mohali alleges Singh received foreign funding, had links to the ISI, and was in possession of sensitive information. The investigation aims to trace the flow of funds, identify collaborators, and map the full extent of the espionage ring.

Singh’s defense lawyer, Madhav Shukla, has denied all allegations. “Jasbir Singh has always cooperated with authorities and appeared before the SSOC whenever summoned. The police have not presented any concrete evidence showing who he was in touch with, or how money was transferred,” Shukla told reporters. He added that the defense has submitted bank statements, phone data, and other documents, which he claims were overlooked by the investigators.

“We are challenging the allegations under the FIR. If he truly had any ill intent, he would have avoided authorities, not walked in voluntarily,” said Shukla.

Punjab Police say the arrest is part of a wider crackdown on espionage networks following recent national security concerns. On May 13, India expelled Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish for alleged espionage activities, a move that came shortly after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people and led to a brief military escalation with Pakistan.

The DGP reiterated that Punjab Police remains committed to national security. “We will not allow anti-national elements to operate from our soil. Investigations are underway to dismantle the broader espionage-terror network and identify all collaborators,” he said.

Malhotra, who ran the YouTube travel channel Travel with JO, was arrested in May. Authorities believe both she and Singh were part of a coordinated influence and intelligence operation, with ties to Pakistan-based actors.

The case continues to unfold as SSOC officials dig deeper into digital footprints, financial records, and cross-border linkages.