Lokpal Breaks Silence: 'No Misconduct in BMW Tender, Just Following Act,' Say Sources | Exclusive

Sources in anti-graft ombudsman Lokpal on Wednesday dismissed criticism over its plan to purchase seven BMW sedans for official use, calling the backlash "totally unwarranted, needless controversy", and citing provisions under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 that allow parity with Supreme Court judges in terms of service conditions."Please see Section 7 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 which deals with the salary, allowances, and other conditions of service for the Lokpal Chairperson and its Members," sources in the Lokpal told Times Now. "It specifies that the Chairperson shall receive the same salary and benefits as the Chief Justice of India, while the other Members are entitled to the same as a Judge of the Supreme Court," they

added. The sources said the move follows a recent upgrade in official vehicles for Supreme Court judges."SC judges have upgraded their cars to BMW 3 Series; after that came this move to upgrade cars of the Lokpal Chairperson and members. As of now, the Lokpal Chairperson has a Skoda Superb as an official car, while Members have Toyota Corolla Altis," they said."No, it’s not any kind of corruption or misconduct... just availing what is provided in the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act," they added.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuTTQQSsS5s

Also Read: Lokpal to Buy 7 BMWs: High-End Car Tender Stirs Controversy

Tender Sparks Political Uproar

The clarification came after the anti-graft ombudsman floated a tender on October 16 for the supply of seven BMW 3 Series 330Li “M Sport” cars, each priced at around Rs 69.5 lakh. The estimated Rs 5 crore purchase immediately drew sharp criticism from opposition parties and activists who accused the Lokpal of hypocrisy and misplaced priorities. The Lokpal’s tender specifies that the selected vendor must also conduct a seven-day driver training program and deliver the vehicles within 30 days of the supply order.Congress leaders called the decision “extravagant,” questioning the Lokpal’s effectiveness and independence.“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 wrote on X.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufHrEBqB0Cc

Public interest lawyer Prashant Bhushan posted on X, “The institution of Lokpal has been ground to dust by the Modi government... They are now buying 70L BMW cars for themselves!”TMC MP Sagarika Ghose called the optics “terrible,” noting, “Instead of investigating corruption, Lokpal seems to be indulging in extravagance. Important note: Lokpal is Justice A.M. Khanwilkar, whose last judgement before retiring gave ED sweeping powers in PMLA cases.”