Youtuber Jasbir Singh arrested for espionage activities; investigations underway

New Delhi (India) June 4: Jasbir Singh, a YouTuber from Rupnagar, was arrested by the Punjab Police after they discovered a major espionage network that may have ties to handlers and terrorist organisations based in Pakistan. The State Special Operations Cell (SSOC) in Mohali has begun a thorough inquiry into the actions of Jasbir Singh, the owner of the "Jaan Mahal" YouTube channel, in response to an intelligence report received.

He is considered to have kept in regular contact with a number of Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) who may have been influenced by Pakistani handlers.

Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav posted, “Acting swiftly on actionable intelligence, SSOC Mohali has unearthed a critical espionage network linked to Jasbir Singh, a resident of Village Mahlan, Rupnagar.

Investigations have revealed that Jasbir attended the #Pakistan National Day event in #Delhi on Danish’s invitation, where he met Pakistani #Army officials and vloggers. He travelled to Pakistan on three occasions (2020, 2021, 2024), and his electronic devices contained multiple Pakistan-based numbers, now under detailed forensic scrutiny” on social media platform X.

Singh also has strong ties with Jyoti Malhotra, another YouTuber who was arrested last month on similar accusations. Singh tried to hide digital records of his conversations with Pakistani handlers after Malhotra was arrested in order to avoid investigation.

He has also visited Pakistan three times, in 2020, 2021 and 2024. According to the DGP, several contact numbers based in Pakistan were found on his seized electronic devices and are presently being examined by forensic experts.

He was also in contact with Shakir, also known as Jutt Randhawa, another PIO who is said to be a major part of the intelligence network supported by terrorist organisations.

The DGP of Punjab also said, “An FIR has been registered at SSOC, Mohali. A comprehensive investigation is underway to trace the full extent of the espionage network and identify more collaborators.”

Jasbir Singh also apparently received an invitation from Danish, an official declared persona non grata by the Indian government to attend the Pakistan National Day celebration in Delhi, where he spoke with Pakistani bloggers and army officials.

This arrest was made a day after Gagandeep Singh was arrested for apparently disclosing intelligence on the activities of the Indian Army during Operation Sindoor. According to reports, foreign intelligence agents were paying him.

Security agencies including the Intelligence Bureau, Military Intelligence, and the National Investigation Agency are working together to counter foreign espionage threats that attempt to destabilise India.

Aadrika Tayal