India’s anti-corruption ombudsman, the Lokpal of India, has ignited a storm of controversy after floating a tender to procure a fleet of seven luxury BMW cars for its chairman and six members. The move, involving an estimated expenditure of around ₹5 crore of taxpayer money—with each BMW 3 Series 330Li (Long Wheelbase) car costing approximately ₹70 lakh on-road—has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders and commentators who point to the “tragic irony” of the anti-graft body prioritizing luxury over its core mandate.
The tender, issued in October, specifies the acquisition of seven white BMW 3 Series 330Li M Sport (Long Wheel Base) sedans. For many, this extravagance directly contradicts the spirit of the 2010s “India Against Corruption” movement that birthed the institution, transforming the anti-corruption watchdog into a body seen as indulging in needless splendor.
Questioning Fiscal Prudence and Prioritization
The procurement has been fiercely criticized on multiple fronts, starting with its hefty financial implication. Trinamool Congress MP Saket Gokhale highlighted the stunning statistic that the ₹5 crore expenditure for the cars represents approximately 10% of the Lokpal’s entire annual budget of ₹44.32 crore. He questioned the priorities of a body “supposedly an anti-corruption body,” asking pointedly, “So who will probe the corrupt Lokpal?”
Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister P. Chidambaram raised an issue of perceived status and parity. He asked why the chairman and members of the Lokpal require BMW cars “when Honourable judges of the Supreme Court are provided modest sedans,” calling the move an unnecessary use of public money. He expressed a hope that some members would refuse to accept the cars.
“Jokepal” and The Irony of Integrity
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi sarcastically termed the Lokpal’s decision a “Gazab ka Jokepal at Indian taxpayers expense.” She also questioned the move in light of the government’s push for a ‘Swadeshi’ (Made-in-India) call, suggesting the luxury German brand selection contradicted the nationalistic economic drive.
Abhishek Singhvi, a senior Congress leader who once chaired the Parliamentary Committee on Lokpal, described the situation as a “tragic irony,” lamenting that the “guardians of integrity [are] chasing luxury over legitimacy.” Critics also pointed to the body’s track record, noting a low number of actual probes and prosecutions from thousands of complaints, suggesting that resources are being diverted to luxury instead of robust investigative work.
The controversy has re-opened the debate around the efficacy and initial promises of the Lokpal, with commentators arguing that the anti-corruption body—once projected as the ultimate check on the highest offices—has become a “silent spectator to the large-scale corruption and plunder happening across the country,” instead busying itself with securing high-end amenities. As the bidding process for the vehicles moves forward, the Lokpal faces intense public and political pressure to justify its decision to prioritize a fleet of luxury sedans.
The controversy surrounds the Lokpal of India’s decision to float a tender for seven luxurious BMW cars.
Watch this news report detailing the controversy: Lokpal Wants 7 High-End BMW Cars Worth Rs 70 Lakh Each, Floats Tenders.
http://googleusercontent.com/youtube_content/0