Punjab-based YouTuber Jasbir Singh, who runs the popular YouTube channel “Jaan Mahal” with over 1.1 million subscribers, has been arrested for his alleged involvement in a Pakistan-backed espionage network, police confirmed on June 4, 2025. Singh, a resident of Mahlan village in Rupnagar district, Punjab, was found to be in close contact with multiple Pakistani intelligence operatives and terror-backed handlers, including Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) linked to espionage activities.

According to Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav, Singh was associated with PIO Shakir, also known as Jutt Randhawa, a key figure in the terror-backed espionage network. Singh also maintained regular communication with Haryana-based YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, who was arrested last month on similar spying charges, and with Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, a Pakistani national and expelled official from the Pakistan High Commission in India.

Investigations revealed that Singh attended the Pakistan National Day event in Delhi in 2024 at Danish’s invitation, where he met Pakistani Army officials and vloggers. He traveled to Pakistan three times—in 2020, 2021, and 2024. Forensic analysis of Singh’s electronic devices uncovered numerous Pakistan-based contacts, which are currently under detailed scrutiny by law enforcement agencies.

Following Malhotra’s arrest, Singh allegedly attempted to erase all evidence of his communications with the Pakistani intelligence operatives to evade detection. However, critical data linking him to the espionage network was recovered. An FIR has been registered at the State Special Operations Cell (SSOC) in Mohali, and investigations are ongoing to dismantle the wider espionage and terror network and identify all collaborators.

This crackdown on espionage networks comes amid heightened national security concerns following the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025, which claimed 26 lives, and the subsequent four-day military conflict between India and Pakistan.

Key Points:

• Jasbir Singh, a Punjab YouTuber with 1.1 million subscribers on “Jaan Mahal,” arrested for alleged spying for Pakistan.

• Linked to PIO Shakir alias Jutt Randhawa and expelled Pakistani official Ehsan-ur-Rahim (Danish).

• Maintained close contact with Haryana YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, arrested earlier for espionage.

• Attended Pakistan National Day event in Delhi; traveled to Pakistan thrice (2020, 2021, 2024).

• Electronic devices revealed multiple Pakistan-based contacts.

• Attempted to delete evidence post Malhotra’s arrest.

• FIR lodged at SSOC Mohali; investigations ongoing to uncover full espionage network.