Jasbir Singh used to run a popular YouTube channel "Jaan Mahal" with over 1.1 million subscriber

Jasbir Singh, a 41-year-old YouTuber from Mahlan village in Punjab's Rupnagar district, who was arrested by the Punjab Police's State Special Operations Cell (SSOC) in connection with an alleged espionage network linked to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), has been sent to the 14-day judicial custody in Espionage case. 

Jasbir Singh, who was running a popular YouTube channel "Jaan Mahal" with over 1.1 million subscribers, is accused of passing sensitive information about Indian Army movements and other classified data to Pakistani intelligence operatives. Meanwhile, investigations have revealed that he visited Pakistan three times between 2020 and 2024 and even attended a Pakistan National Day event in New Delhi, where he allegedly interacted with ISI agents. 

During a forensic examination of his electronic devices, authorities have allegedly discovered over 150 contacts linked to Pakistan, including ISI and military personnel. Singh reportedly attempted to delete several applications from his devices following the arrest of another influencer, Jyoti Malhotra, who is also under investigation for alleged espionage activities. 

In the meanwhile, the Mohali court has remanded Singh to 14 days of judicial custody, and investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of his alleged involvement in the espionage network. Authorities are also probing the role of a former Pakistani police officer, Nasir Dhillon, who is believed to have introduced Singh to ISI operatives. 

Jasbir Singh's arrest marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation into cross-border espionage activities affecting national security. The case has raised concerns about the vulnerability of social media influencers to exploitation by foreign intelligence agencies.