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Fact-Check: Viral Photo of Spy-Accused YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra with Rahul Gandhi is Fake – Original Image Dates Back to 2017
In the wake of Haryana-based YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra’s arrest on serious charges of espionage and allegedly leaking classified information to Pakistani intelligence operatives, a photograph circulating on social media has stirred controversy. The viral image appears to show Jyoti Malhotra posing with Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi. However, an investigation reveals that the image has been digitally manipulated.
Multiple users on social media platform X shared the image with captions such as “Rahul Gandhi with notorious YouTuber, Jyoti Malhotra!”—implying a direct connection between the Congress leader and the accused YouTuber. The posts quickly gained traction, prompting outrage among political circles and the general public. Some users went further, questioning the credibility of Gandhi and alleging undisclosed ties between him and the accused individual.
But the truth behind the viral photo tells a different story altogether.
Fact-Check Reveals Photo is Morphed
Leading media outlet Times Now conducted a Google Reverse Image Search of the controversial photo. The search led to news articles and social media posts dating back to 2017 and 2018. These older posts show the same photograph, but instead of Jyoti Malhotra, the woman standing with Rahul Gandhi is Congress leader Aditi Singh.
Aditi Singh, formerly a prominent face in the Congress party and MLA from Rae Bareli, had posted the image herself on social media back in 2017. She can be seen wearing the same saree and posing alongside Rahul Gandhi during an official party event. The recent viral image has been digitally altered, replacing Aditi Singh’s face with that of Jyoti Malhotra, creating a misleading narrative that has since spread like wildfire.
Several independent fact-checking portals have corroborated this finding. They traced the original photograph and confirmed that the image doing rounds is not only outdated but also manipulated with malicious intent to link Rahul Gandhi with the accused spy.
Background: The Espionage Case Against Jyoti Malhotra
While the photo has been proven to be fake, the espionage charges against Jyoti Malhotra are very real. The Haryana police arrested the YouTuber for allegedly passing sensitive information to Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIOs). She is currently under investigation, and several shocking details have come to light.
Malhotra reportedly confessed to meeting PIOs during her travels abroad. Her frequent international trips, particularly to areas near or in Pakistan, have raised serious red flags. One of her key contacts was identified as Danish, an official linked to the Pakistan High Commission in India. Jyoti admitted meeting Danish during an event and maintaining contact with him thereafter.
Her confession further revealed meetings with Ali Hasan, who introduced her to senior intelligence personnel across the border. She later became acquainted with individuals named Rana Shahbaz and Shakir. Notably, Shakir communicated with her through encrypted messaging platforms such as Snapchat and Telegram. To avoid suspicion, his number was saved under the pseudonym “Jatt Randhawa.”
Investigators are currently scrutinizing her travel history and financial records, linking visits to Pahalgam and Pakistan to suspicious exchanges. Authorities suspect she may have been recruited gradually, first under the pretext of journalistic curiosity and later co-opted into deeper intelligence activities.
Political Misinformation in the Digital Age
The circulation of the doctored photograph amid an ongoing national security case underscores the dangers of misinformation in the digital age. The attempt to connect a high-profile political leader with a suspected spy through fake visuals highlights how disinformation can rapidly distort public discourse.
It’s crucial to distinguish between verified facts and manipulated media. While the charges against Jyoti Malhotra are being legally investigated, the viral image aiming to implicate Rahul Gandhi has been thoroughly debunked.
Authorities and fact-checking agencies urge social media users to refrain from sharing unverified content, especially when it involves matters of national security or prominent public figures. Misinformation not only misleads the public but also distracts from the real issues that demand scrutiny.
As the investigation into Jyoti Malhotra’s espionage case continues, the focus must remain on the legitimate legal process—free from viral deceptions and digital propaganda.
Note : NuzTube INDIA does not write this article, This article is from a syndicate feed.
