The Supreme Court has denied bail to travel vlogger and YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra who is charged with disclosing private information with Pakistani intelligence officials. The court noted that issues related to national security can not be taken lightly and noted that what she has been accused of is too serious to be decided on a mere basis of exception.
The bench chaired by Justices Dipankar Datta and SC Sharma struck off Malhotra’s appeal against one of the previous orders by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. She had no criminal record with reference to the time she has been in custody, which was well over one year now, but that it is a case that certainly afflicts the country’s sovereignty and security, said the Supreme Court in this regard.
Detectives claim Malhotra was in contact with the people connected with Pakistani intelligence agencies and is allegedly behind sharing of sensitive information in several meetings. She met an official from the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi before being taken to Pakistan, where she allegedly met those involved in the country’s security establishment, authorities claim.
This case came under the Official Secrets Act and other sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita which cover activities that could impact the unity of the nation and its sovereignty. During the investigation, evidence was gathered to connect her to multiple suspicious communications and meetings.
The Supreme Court had observed anything submitted as defense by the accused would be analysed during course of the trial and found that it was a serious matter to grant bail at this juncture. Under the ruling, Malhotra will be in judicial custody till the court proceedings are completed.