Rahul Gandhi seen with Jyoti Malhotra? Here's the truth behind the viral photo

Jyoti Malhotra was arrested last month for allegedly spying for Pakistan.

Updated on: May 25, 2025, 13:47:11 IST

By HT News Desk

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A morphed photograph linking YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra – who has been arrested for allegedly spying for Pakistan – and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has gone viral. Several X users shared the photo purportedly showing Malhotra posing with the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, with angry messages and attacks.

The morphed photo of Rahul Gandhi with Jyoti Malhotra which has gone viral on social media. (X)

"Jyoti Malhotra from Haryana, who was caught spying for Pakistan, is with Rahul Gandhi. What a strange coincidence that every traitor and anti-national is seen with Rahul Gandhi! Is Rahul Gandhi the mastermind behind the turmoil happening in the country?" wrote a user on X.

What's the truth behind the photo?

A simple Google image search shows that the original photograph was published by several media outlets in 2018. At the time, Malhotra had not even started her YouTube career.

The reverse image search of the morphed photo shows that former Congress leader Aditi Singh was wearing the same saree in the same setting while posing with Rahul Gandhi. The photo has the same angle, and even the person standing in the background is the same.

Also read: How ex-Pakistan high commission staffer Danish targeted YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra

The photo with Aditi Singh was published years ago. Aditi Singh had shared the same photo on social media in 2017.

A screengrab of the Google image search. (Google)

Many fact-checking agencies also declared the photograph “morphed”.

Aditi Singh, a former Congress lawmaker from Rae Bareli, joined the BJP in 2021. She currently represents the Rae Bareli Sadar seat as a BJP MLA.

Who is Jyoti Malhotra?

Jyoti Malhotra was arrested last month for allegedly spying for Pakistan. She had been in touch with Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, the Pakistani staffer at the Pakistani High Commission, since November 2023 and was allegedly passing on sensitive information and trying to sculpt a positive image of the country on social media.

Danish was expelled by India on May 13 for allegedly indulging in espionage.

The National Investigation Agency, the Intelligence Bureau, and military intelligence officials have questioned Jyoti.

The police said she was being developed as a Pakistani asset.

She has 3.9 lakh subscribers on YouTube.

So far, it's been revealed that she has visited Pakistan, China, Bangladesh, and some other countries.

Jyoti Malhotra is among 12 people who have been arrested from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh over the past two weeks on charges of espionage.

With inputs from PTI

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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