New Delhi, December 26, 2025
In a scathing attack on the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the Congress party has accused it of operating under a veil of corruption, shielding officials implicated in massive graft scandals. The latest salvo targets Navneet Kumar Sahgal, who resigned as Chairman of Prasar Bharati earlier this month, alleging he orchestrated a Rs 112-crore kickback racket during his tenure as head of Uttar Pradesh's Institute of Entrepreneurship Development (IED) from 2019 to 2022.
The opposition party claims the PMO's decision to appoint Sahgal to a key public broadcasting role in March 2024, despite prior allegations, exposes deep-rooted cronyism at the highest levels of government. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera described the episode as "political musical chairs," where tainted bureaucrats are merely shuffled around rather than held accountable.
#### The Alleged Scam: A Web of Bribes and Diversions
According to a 254-page dossier prepared by the Income Tax Department in December 2022 and submitted to the Uttar Pradesh government and the state Lokayukta, Sahgal and his associates allegedly siphoned off public funds through fraudulent means. The report details irregularities in schemes such as the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative and the Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana, managed by the IED, as well as the Uttar Pradesh Industrial Consultants Ltd (UPICON).
Key elements of the racket include:
Diversion of Funds: Nearly Rs 65 crore was allegedly embezzled from IED programs via cash bribes, fake bills, shell companies, and dubious sub-contracting deals across districts. Another Rs 46 crore was reportedly looted from UPICON projects.
Personal Gains: An additional Rs 21 crore was funneled into a suspicious firm where Sahgal's sons served as directors, marking him as the "largest beneficiary" of the network.
Key Associates: IED Director Devendra Pal Singh is named as a co-conspirator who collected bribes on Sahgal's behalf.
The Lokayukta, however, has claimed it never received the incriminating report, raising questions about whether it was deliberately suppressed. Congress has demanded an immediate probe, questioning, "Where did this 254-page report vanish? A person who should have been investigated was instead rewarded with the top post in public broadcasting."
Sahgal's abrupt resignation from Prasar Bharati on December 20, 2024—after just over eight months in the role—has fueled speculation. Sources close to the matter suggest it was triggered by resurfacing controversies, though official reasons remain unclear.
#### PMO Under Fire: Links to Hiren Joshi and Broader 'Ecosystem'
Congress has drawn a direct line from Sahgal to the PMO, alleging his elevation reflects a "tainted ecosystem" involving Prime Minister Narendra Modi's media adviser, Hiren Joshi. Khera pointed to Sahgal's "past association" with Joshi and claimed reports indicate Sahgal was being eyed for a PMO position post-resignation, effectively swapping one accused official for another.
The party has escalated its critique, labeling the PMO as "the most powerful yet least transparent institution" in India. Khera warned that forthcoming revelations would shock the nation, exposing shares in PMO-linked apps, family involvements, and ties to industrialists from Bollywood and abroad—some facing hawala charges overseas. He further accused PM Modi of turning into "Maun (silent) Modi," silent on Joshi's status amid separate allegations linking him to the Rs 50,000-crore Mahadev Betting App scam.
"If the prime minister was aware of this [Sahgal's allegations] and still cleared the appointment, the matter becomes even more serious," Khera asserted, urging Modi to clarify whether Joshi has been removed, suspended, or investigated—and if the PM is personally shielding him.
This is not the first time Congress has targeted the PMO over graft. Earlier this month, party leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, alleged PMO complicity in the Mahadev scam, amplifying concerns over national security risks from appointing individuals with questionable backgrounds.
#### No Response from Government
As of this report, neither the PMO nor the BJP has issued a formal response to the allegations. BJP spokespersons were unavailable for comment, and the Uttar Pradesh government has not addressed the 2022 IT dossier's fate. The controversy comes amid heightened political tensions, with opposition parties intensifying scrutiny on the Modi administration's transparency ahead of upcoming state elections.
Congress has vowed to pursue the matter in Parliament and through public campaigns, stating, "The PMO is under the control of these [suspicious] people. We will come out with the truth even if there are threats and legal notices."
This developing story highlights ongoing debates over accountability in India's bureaucracy, with Sahgal's case serving as a flashpoint for accusations of favoritism at the corridors of power. Updates will follow as more details emerge.
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