The government’s recent tender order to procure seven luxury vehicles for the Lokpal has ignited a storm of criticism and public outrage, raising serious questions about the anti-corruption body’s priorities.
Without mincing any words, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh branded the institution as “Shokpal” and “Shockpal,” lamenting what he sees as a far cry from the Lokpal’s original promise.
“Lokpal is not Lokpal any longer. It is ‘Shokpal’ and ‘Shockpal’,” he said in a sharp retort on social media, further asserting, “Anna Hazare, Arvind Kejriwal, ‘India Against Corruption’, and the RSS did a lot of publicity in 2012 and 2013, emphasising the importance of the Lokpal. Now just look at the actions of the Lokpal itself… Which investigations have they initiated? Which people have they got arrested for?”
The tender, floated on October 16, calls for the procurement of seven BMW 3 Series 330 Li ‘M Sport’ models in white, with the delivery expected within two weeks, and no extension of time permitted beyond 30 days. The tender requires a hefty earnest money deposit of Rs 10 lakh, further fuelling public concern over the lavish expenditure.
The Lokpal currently functions with seven members, headed by former Supreme Court Judge Justice A M Khanwilkar.
The choice of BMWs has drawn comparisons to the Supreme Court’s vehicle policy, where the Chief Justice of India is assigned a Mercedes and other judges get BMW 3 Series cars—the same model Lokpal seeks to acquire. However, critics argue that public funds should prioritize Indian-made vehicles.
Amitabh Kant, former CEO of NITI Aayog and India’s G20 Sherpa, weighed in on the controversy, urging the cancellation of the tender in favor of “Make in India” electric vehicles such as Mahindra’s XUV 9EV or Tata’s Harrier EV. “They are top-class vehicles,” he asserted.
Prominent activist advocate Prashant Bhushan also condemned the tender, accusing Lokpal members of “now buying Rs 70 lakh BMW cars for themselves,” highlighting a perceived disconnect between the institution’s mandate and its spending choices.
The episode has intensified calls for transparency and accountability within India’s premier anti-corruption watchdog. As the Lokpal was established to serve as a bulwark against corruption and misuse of power, this episode risks eroding public trust in the very institution meant to uphold integrity.
With growing public scrutiny and political backlash, the Lokpal faces mounting pressure to justify its actions and reaffirm its commitment to fighting corruption—not indulging in luxury. The scandal serves as a stark reminder that public institutions must maintain the highest standards of prudence and responsibility, especially when entrusted with safeguarding the nation’s ethical fabric.