New Delhi – The Congress party has come out strongly against former senior IAS officer Navneet Kumar Sehgal, calling for answers from the central government on serious corruption charges. Sehgal, who was once the chairman of Prasar Bharati, is named in a confidential Income Tax report that talks about a big kickback system in Uttar Pradesh government schemes. The party says this is a clear case of protecting people close to power, even when there are grave allegations against them.
Congress leader Pawan Khera held a press conference in Delhi today and shared details from a 254-page report prepared by the Income Tax Department’s investigation wing. He said the report points to how nearly Rs 112 crore was taken out wrongly from public funds meant for small businesses, artisans, and workers in UP between 2019 and 2022.
What the Allegations Are About
The report says that during the time Sehgal was in key posts in Uttar Pradesh, like heading the MSME department and being chairman of Institute of Entrepreneurship Development (IED) and UP Industrial Consultants Limited (UPICON), a network of officials and contractors siphoned off money through fake bills, shell companies, and wrong tenders.
According to the details shared by Congress:
- About Rs 65 crore was allegedly taken from IED schemes like One District One Product (ODOP) and Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana. These schemes were meant to help small workers and craftsmen with training and tools.
- Another Rs 46 crore came from UPICON through similar wrong ways.
- The biggest share of the kickbacks, around Rs 24-26 crore, is said to have gone to Sehgal himself over these years.
- There are mentions of cash transfers, expensive gifts discussed on WhatsApp, and even Rs 21 crore invested in a company linked to Sehgal’s family.
Pawan Khera pointed out that even after this Income Tax probe, no big action was taken. Instead, Sehgal was given the important post of Prasar Bharati chairman in March 2024. He resigned from that post suddenly on December 2, 2025, with more than a year left in his term.
Why Congress is Asking Questions to PM Modi
Khera said in his press meet, “Prime Minister Modi keeps saying ‘na khaunga, na khane doonga’ (I will not take bribes, nor let others take). But here, a person with such serious charges gets rewarded with high posts. Is this not protecting corruption?”
He also linked it to reports that Sehgal might have been considered for a role in the Prime Minister’s Office, replacing another official facing different allegations. “If people with questions over them are brought close to the PMO, it raises big concerns about national security and clean governance,” Khera added.
The Congress leader asked why the Income Tax department closed the case after taking Sehgal’s explanation, and why no criminal case or department action followed. He demanded an independent probe into the whole matter.
Who is Navneet Kumar Sehgal?
Sehgal is a 1988-batch IAS officer from Uttar Pradesh cadre. He retired in 2023 after serving in many important roles under different governments – BSP, SP, and BJP. He was known as a powerful officer who handled departments like information, sports, MSME, and khadi village industries.
Many see him as someone who stayed influential no matter which party was in power in UP. After retirement, he got the Prasar Bharati post, which handles Doordarshan and All India Radio.
Sehgal has denied all these allegations in the past. When asked by media earlier, he said the Income Tax matter was looked into, explanations were given with proof, and it was closed.
What the Government Has Said So Far
Till now, there has been no official response from the BJP or the central government on these fresh allegations by Congress. The Income Tax report is from 2022-2023, and sources say the case was closed after replies.
But opposition parties like Congress are using this to attack the Modi government, saying it talks big on fighting corruption but protects its own.
Broader Picture of Corruption Claims
This is not the first time questions have been raised on big schemes in Uttar Pradesh. Schemes like ODOP were started to boost local products and jobs, but reports of wrong use of funds keep coming up. Small traders and workers, who these plans were for, often complain that the real help does not reach them.
Experts say such allegations hurt trust in government programs. If money meant for poor artisans goes into wrong hands, it affects lakhs of families depending on these schemes.
What Happens Next?
Congress has demanded that the Prime Minister himself explain why no action was taken and if he knew about the report before giving Sehgal the Prasar Bharati post. They also want a full probe, maybe under court watch.
On the other side, if Sehgal or the government replies, it could clear the air. But for now, this has become a big political issue just as the year ends.
People across the country, especially in Uttar Pradesh, are watching this closely. They want to know if the money from their taxes is used properly or not.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the main allegation against Navneet Kumar Sehgal?
The main allegation is that he was the biggest beneficiary in a kickback network that took out around Rs 112 crore from UP government schemes for small industries and workers between 2019 and 2022. An Income Tax investigation report names him for getting over Rs 24 crore in kickbacks through fake tenders and companies.
2. Which schemes were affected according to the report?
Mainly schemes under IED like One District One Product (ODOP), Vishwakarma Shram Samman, and training programs for artisans. Also, funds from UPICON, a government company for industrial help.
3. What posts did Sehgal hold during that time?
He was Additional Chief Secretary for MSME and khadi departments, and chairman of IED and UPICON in Uttar Pradesh.
4. What happened after the Income Tax probe?
The department looked into it, asked for explanations, and closed the case after accepting replies. No known criminal case or punishment followed. Later, in 2024, he became Prasar Bharati chairman.
5. Why did Sehgal resign from Prasar Bharati?
Officially, no reason was given. He resigned on December 2, 2025. Some reports link it to these old allegations coming up again.
6. What has Congress demanded?
A full independent investigation, explanation from PM Modi on why no action was taken, and why Sehgal got high posts despite the report.
7. Has Sehgal responded to these charges?
Yes, earlier he called them baseless and said the Income Tax matter was fully explained and closed.
8. Is there any link to the Prime Minister’s Office?
Congress claims there were reports that Sehgal might replace another official in PMO who faces different charges. But nothing official on this.
9. How much money was allegedly siphoned in total? Nearly Rs 112 crore – Rs 65 crore from IED and Rs 46 crore from UPICON.
10. Why is this important for common people?
These schemes were to help small shop owners, craftsmen, and village industries create jobs and grow. If money is misused, real help does not reach poor families who need it most.