Lokpal BMW purchase sparks outrage over luxury choice

The Lokpal of India — the country’s top anti-corruption watchdog — has come under public scrutiny after it floated a tender to purchase seven BMW 3 Series 330Li sedans for its members. The move, critics say, undermines the institution’s image as a symbol of integrity and restraint.

According to the tender notice issued on October 16, the Lokpal invited bids from “reputed agencies” to supply seven BMW 3 Series 330Li ‘M Sport’ models with a long wheelbase, all in white. The vehicles are to be delivered “preferably within two weeks, but not later than 30 days” from the issue of the supply order, with “no extension of time” allowed.

The last date for bid submission is November 6, with an earnest money deposit of ₹10 lakh required from bidders. The bids will be opened the following day.

Currently, the Lokpal functions with seven members against a sanctioned strength of eight. It is headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice A M Khanwilkar and includes former Chief Justices Sanjay Yadav and Ritu Raj Awasthi, among others. None of the members were available for comment on October 21.

The choice of luxury sedans has sparked widespread criticism. Former NITI Aayog CEO and G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant questioned the decision on X, urging the Lokpal to withdraw the tender and promote homegrown innovation instead.

“They need to cancel this tender and go for Make in India electric vehicles — either Mahindra’s XEV 9E, BE 6, or Tata’s Harrier EV. These are top-class vehicles,” Kant wrote.

Activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan also condemned the move, alleging that Lokpal members were “now buying ₹70 lakh BMW cars for themselves.”

Interestingly, the Chief Justice of India uses a Mercedes-Benz, while other Supreme Court judges are assigned BMW 3 Series cars — the same model the Lokpal seeks to procure.

The tender has reignited the debate over public accountability and symbolism in government spending — particularly for an institution tasked with fighting corruption.