Punjab Police have arrested Jasbir Singh, a popular YouTuber behind the channel Jaan Mahal, for his alleged involvement in a Pakistan-backed espionage network. Singh, who boasts more than 1.1 million subscribers, was detained on Wednesday by the State Special Operations Cell (SSOC) in Mohali, based on what officials described as “actionable intelligence.”
Singh, a resident of Mahlan village in Punjab’s Rupnagar district, is the second digital content creator in recent months to be apprehended for suspected spying activities. According to senior police sources, his online presence and growing influence had allegedly been used to collect and disseminate sensitive information that could benefit foreign intelligence agencies.
Officials also revealed Singh’s suspected connection with Jyoti Malhotra, another individual previously under the scanner for similar charges. While details about their exact interactions remain classified, sources say digital communication and financial exchanges are part of the evidence being examined. The arrest comes amid heightened national concern over social media being exploited for intelligence-gathering by hostile nations. The SSOC is now conducting a thorough investigation into Singh’s content, funding sources, and potential collaborators both online and offline.
Singh’s YouTube channel, Jaan Mahal, is known for lifestyle, travel, and regional commentary. Authorities are now probing whether any seemingly innocent content was used as a cover for passing coded information or recording strategically sensitive areas. Devices, communication records, and video archives have been seized for forensic analysis.
This is the latest in a string of espionage-related arrests in Punjab, a border state that remains highly sensitive to security threats. Law enforcement agencies have increased surveillance on digital influencers and online personalities amid concerns that their reach may be leveraged for intelligence operations by foreign handlers. As investigations continue, Punjab Police have reiterated their commitment to national security and warned that any misuse of digital platforms to compromise the country’s interests will be dealt with severely.
