In a startling revelation, a Right to Information (RTI) query has confirmed that Haryana YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, who is currently in custody in an espionage case, was officially hired by Kerala Tourism as part of a government-funded influencer campaign. The disclosure has sparked political outrage and raised serious questions about vetting protocols in publicly funded promotional initiatives.
According to The Tribune, the RTI, filed by a Kochi-based activist, reveals that Jyoti Malhotra, a travel vlogger with a growing online presence, was one of 41 influencers invited by Kerala Tourism between January 2024 and May 2025. Her expenses for visiting destinations like Munnar, Alappuzha, Kannur, and Kochi were covered under a promotional campaign managed by a third-party digital marketing agency.
The arrest of Malhotra, who hails from Haryana, has since escalated into a national security issue, with central agencies alleging her links with Pakistan-based handlers and involvement in gathering sensitive information. Her association with a state-sponsored campaign has come under intense scrutiny, especially with the RTI confirming that she was officially engaged by a department of the Kerala government.
Political Firestorm Over Kerala Tourism’s Influencer Campaign
The RTI revelation has triggered sharp criticism from opposition parties, especially the BJP, which has demanded accountability from the Kerala government. BJP leaders have questioned how someone now accused of spying could be part of a government-endorsed influencer tour.
They have accused the Kerala Tourism Department of gross negligence and have called on Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas to explain how due diligence was bypassed. The concerns extend beyond political posturing, as the case has ignited debates about the potential risks of outsourcing government campaigns without adequate security checks.
Kerala Government Distances Itself from Direct Involvement
Responding to the backlash, the Kerala Tourism Department clarified that influencer collaborations are managed by professional agencies and that individual influencers are often selected based on their digital metrics and audience reach. Jyoti Malhotra, at the time of her engagement, had no criminal record or red flags that would have alerted officials.
Minister Riyas acknowledged the seriousness of the situation but defended the department’s practices, saying it is unfair to expect that government departments should predict future criminal activity. “This is a highly unfortunate incident. Influencer campaigns are widely used to promote tourism, and we rely on the expertise of contracted agencies for selection,” he said.
Investigators Probe Her Travel Content for Espionage Cues
The Haryana YouTuber, who gained popularity through her travel vlogs and lifestyle content, is now at the center of a complex espionage probe. According to investigators, Malhotra may have used her digital presence as a cover to collect specific visual data during her travels.
With Kerala now confirmed as one of her sponsored visits, intelligence teams are closely examining all video footage and posts she made during her trip. Forensic experts are also auditing her digital devices and communications to determine if her tourism videos carried hidden codes, embedded metadata, or reconnaissance of strategic sites.
Lack of Vetting Protocols Raises Broader Security Concerns
The incident has raised alarm over the lack of rigorous background checks for individuals engaged in government-sponsored programs. Experts in cyber and national security warn that as governments increasingly turn to influencer marketing, the risks of foreign infiltration also grow.
“Influencers are granted access to remote, historic, and often sensitive areas under the guise of content creation. Without verification protocols, the risk of misuse is real,” said a retired senior official from the Intelligence Bureau. Critics have called for a standard operating procedure (SOP) to be implemented across all states, involving background checks through law enforcement databases before any state funds are sanctioned for such engagements.
Other States Begin Reviewing Influencer Policies
The impact of the Jyoti Malhotra espionage case has not been limited to Kerala. Tourism departments in several other states, including Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Goa, are reportedly reviewing their influencer policies. Internal reviews have been initiated to ensure that future collaborations do not inadvertently expose state infrastructure or assets to potential security threats.
In the digital age, where social media visibility is often prioritized over scrutiny, the revelation that a Haryana YouTuber accused of spying was part of an official campaign has cast a long shadow over influencer marketing in the public sector. As the investigation unfolds, more departments may be forced to confront a difficult but necessary question: is enough being done to ensure public outreach doesn’t compromise public safety.
Photo Credit: The Tribune
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