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May 16, 2025Indian police have arrested multiple individuals across Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, and Assam amid ongoing tensions with Pakistan, accusing them of promoting pro-Pakistan views or aiding espionage activities.
Among the arrested is Ali Khan Mahmudabad, a political science professor at Ashoka University, detained in Delhi over social media posts criticizing India’s military narrative around “Operation Sindoor.” He was booked under laws relating to communal harmony, secession, and religious insult. His remarks on a Muslim army officer and Hindutva politics drew sharp backlash from BJP leaders and the Haryana Women’s Commission. Critics, including ThePrint, condemned the arrest as a violation of constitutional freedoms.
Separately, travel vlogger Jyoti Malhotra, known for her YouTube channel ‘Travel With Jo’, was arrested in Hisar under the Official Secrets Act. Authorities claim she transmitted sensitive information to Pakistani operatives and had visited Pakistan twice. Her family denies all allegations.
Indian media also reported the arrest of several civilians, including students and security personnel, allegedly linked to a Pakistan-based espionage network. Names include Guzala and Banu Nasreena from Punjab, and Arman from Haryana, accused of facilitating SIM card transfers and money laundering for operatives.
In Assam, police, acting on army intelligence, busted a fake SIM card racket allegedly involved in passing information to Pakistan. Seven were arrested, with raids extending to Telangana, Rajasthan, and Delhi.
Pakistani journalists have questioned the credibility of Indian reports, calling the arrests politically motivated and accusing Indian media of war-mongering. The New York Times also noted that Indian outlets amplified false narratives during the conflict, further complicating cross-border relations.
