While India was still in disbelief over the arrest of travel vlogger Jyoti Malhotra, the Punjab Police on Wednesday announced that it had arrested another YouTuber in an espionage case linked to Pakistan. Punjab DGP on Wednesday announced that an influencer named Jasbir Singh, who runs a YouTube channel named JaanMahal, has been arrested. Jasbir Singh 'JaanMahal' arrest came as major concern for not only the influencer fraternity but also India, as Pakistan's ISI is managing to turn influencers into their agent. Now, the question arises, who is Jasbir Singh aka JaanMahal, and when was he arrested? Below is all you need to know-
Who is Punjab YouTuber Jasbir Singh, arrested in an espionage case?
Jasbir Singh hails from Mahal village in Rupnagar. He runs the YouTube channel "Jaan Mahal", which boasts over 1 million subscribers. He is accused of maintaining contact with Pakistan’s ISI and traveling to the country multiple times, raising major concerns about the misuse of digital platforms.
According to Punjab Police, YouTuber Jasbir Singh has traveled to Pakistan in 2020, 2021, and 2024. During a Pakistan National Day event in Delhi, held at the invitation of expelled Pakistani High Commission official Ehsan-ur-Rahim (alias Danish), Singh allegedly met Pakistani army officers and vloggers. He is also said to have been in contact with ISI operative Hassan Ali (alias Jatt Randhawa), and recently arrested Haryana-based YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra.
Jasbir’s digital devices were found to contain multiple Pakistan-based phone numbers and other sensitive data. Authorities report some deleted data as well, and have sent his phone and laptop for forensic analysis.
What did the Punjab DGP reveal about Jasbir Singh?
On X, Punjab DGP further revealed, "After Jyoti Malhotra’s arrest, Jasbir attempted to erase all traces of his communications with these PIOs to avoid detection. An FIR has been registered at SSOC, #Mohali. Investigations are underway to dismantle the broader espionage-terror network and identify all collaborators.
Jasbir Singh’s YouTube channel features several travel vlogs from Pakistan, including videos showcasing Lahore, the Kartarpur Corridor, and narratives glorifying his experiences in the neighboring country. One of his most viewed videos documents his crossing from the Attari-Wagah border into Pakistan. Another highlights the "VIP treatment" he allegedly received, with fans welcoming him warmly.
While Singh had framed his visits as cultural or religious explorations, police believe there was a more sinister agenda behind the lens.
Notably, Jasbir Singh’s arrest marks the sixth spy-related arrest in Punjab within a month, as security agencies tighten surveillance on cross-border information leaks. Below is a list of other alleged spies who have been arrested in last few days-
- Palak Sher Masih and Suraj Masih from Amritsar (May 4) — caught sending Indian Army intel to Pakistan.
- Ghazala Khatun and Yameen Mohammad from Malerkotla (May 11) — came in contact with Pakistani spies while applying for a visa.
- Raqeeb, a tailor at Bathinda Army Cantonment (May 13) — accused of leaking strategic data.
- Gagandeep Singh alias Gagan from Tarn Taran (June 5) — reportedly shared military deployment details during Operation Sindoor with Khalistani-linked agents in Pakistan.