India, July 8 -- Kerala tourism minister Mohammed Riyas on Tuesday clarified that the state government had no role in the selection of social media influencer and YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, who was arrested in May on suspicion of spying for Pakistan.

"Jyoti Malhotra was invited by the designated agency well before any case against her surfaced, and the Kerala government had no role in selecting influencers," said Mohammed Riyas told reporters.

Mohammed Riyas made the statement in response to allegations that Jyoti Malhotra, who has been arrested on espionage charges, was invited to promote tourism in the state.

Some Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, including spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla, had cited an RTI reply to claim that Jyoti Malho...