In a startling reversal, Harish Malhotra—the father of Haryana-based YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, who was recently arrested on charges of spying for Pakistan—has now distanced himself from his earlier defense of his daughter’s international travels. The contradictory statements made within just two days have added another twist to an already explosive case involving national security and alleged espionage.

Jyoti Malhotra, known online for her YouTube channel Travel with JO, was arrested last week in Hisar by the Haryana Police. Authorities allege she had been sharing sensitive content with Pakistani intelligence operatives under the guise of a travel vlogger.

In his latest statement to reporters on Monday, May 19, Harish Malhotra insisted, “She used to tell me that she was going to Delhi. She never told me anything.” He further added, “I never said that she visited Pakistan… None of her friends visited our home.” Speaking to NDTV, he also said that police brought Jyoti home briefly to collect some belongings before taking her away, and she “left without a word.”

The new remarks are in stark contrast to what Harish told ANI just two days earlier, on May 17. At the time, he seemed to downplay her frequent international travels, saying, “She made YouTube videos. She used to visit Pakistan and other places. If she has some friends there, can’t she call them?”

This dramatic shift in narrative has raised eyebrows and intensified scrutiny around Jyoti’s alleged role in a cross-border espionage network. Investigators believe she may have been honey-trapped by a man named Danish, reportedly linked to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and said to be an employee at the Pakistani High Commission.