'Servile members not bothered by graft, happy with luxuries': Lokpal under fire over 7 BMW cars tender

Justice Manikrao Khanwilkar taking oath as Lokpal Chairperson in March last year (File photo)

The anti-graft ombudsman Lokpal has stirred a controversy after issuing a tender to purchase seven BMW 3 Series 330Li ‘M Sport’ cars, each costing around Rs 69.5 lakh on-road in Delhi -- a total expenditure of about Rs 5 crore. The move has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties and anti-corruption activists, who argue that it reflects misplaced priorities and a lack of seriousness in tackling corruption.

The tender, floated on October 16, specifies that the luxury sedans should be white, long-wheelbase models -- described by the manufacturer as “the longest and most spacious car in the segment designed for outstanding comfort in an extremely luxurious cabin.” Each of the seven vehicles is meant for the Lokpal’s current members, including its chairperson, Justice A.M. Khanwilkar (retd), with one seat still vacant out of the sanctioned eight.

In addition to the vehicles, the chosen vendor must provide a week-long training programme for Lokpal drivers and staff, covering “familiarisation with all controls, features and safety systems,” “emergency handling,” and at least 50–100 kilometres of on-road driving per participant. The cost of this exercise will be borne entirely by the vendor. The training must be completed within 15 days of delivery.

As per the tender, interested bidders are required to deposit Rs 10 lakh as earnest money, with the final date for submission set for November 6. The supply order mandates that delivery should ideally occur within two weeks -- but no later than 30 days -- after the contract is awarded.

Criticism has come swiftly. Public interest lawyer Prashant Bhushan, a leading figure of the India Against Corruption (IAC) movement, launched a blistering attack on X, writing, “The institution of Lokpal has been ground to dust by the Modi government, by keeping it vacant for many years & then appointing servile members who are not bothered by graft & are happy with their luxuries. They are now buying 70L BMW cars for themselves!”

Congress leaders have also weighed in, accusing the Lokpal of abandoning its founding purpose. “Lokpal wants to buy 7 luxury BMW cars worth ₹5 crore for itself. This is the same institution that was supposed to fight corruption after the so-called ‘India Against Corruption’ movement -- a movement backed by the RSS and designed only to bring down the Congress government,” Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed posted on X.

Another Congress leader, Saral Patel, questioned the body’s record bluntly: “Lokpal of India is buying 7 luxury BMW cars worth Rs 5 crore... Has this Lokpal acted on even a single case in the last 11 years?"

The party’s Kerala unit went further, connecting the issue to the legacy of the Anna Hazare-led IAC movement that had sparked the creation of the Lokpal. In a statement, it accused the movement’s architects of deceiving the nation, saying, “The very Lokpal, once projected as the ultimate anti-corruption watchdog, is busy indulging in luxuries and remains a silent spectator to the large-scale corruption and plunder happening across the country. Democracy is destroyed... And Anna Hazare and team are dead silent.”

Trinamool Congress MP Sagarika Ghose echoed these sentiments, calling the move “terrible optics.” She wrote, “A tender has been placed for SEVEN luxury BMW cars by the Lokpal. Instead of investigating corruption, Lokpal seems to be indulging in extravagance. Terrible optics. Important note: Lokpal is Justice A.M Khanwilkar whose last judgement before retiring gave ED sweeping powers in PMLA cases.”