New Delhi: The Lokpal’s reported plan to purchase seven BMW cars, each costing around ₹70 lakh, has drawn sharp criticism from Congress leaders, who called the move a “tragic irony” for an institution meant to uphold integrity and fight corruption.
Senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who chaired the Parliamentary Committee on Lokpal, condemned the expenditure, saying it contradicts the very spirit of the anti-corruption body. “Dr. L M Singhvi first conceived the idea of Lokpal in the early 1960s. To see this anti-corruption body now ordering BMWs for its members is tragic irony the guardians of integrity chasing luxury over legitimacy,” Singhvi wrote on X.
Citing official data on the Lokpal’s performance, Singhvi questioned the rationale behind such spending. “8,703 complaints received. Only 24 probes conducted. Six prosecution sanctions issued. And now, BMWs worth ₹70 lakh each. If this is our anti-corruption watchdog, it appears more poodle than panther,” he remarked.
Singhvi also drew comparisons with the judiciary, asking why the Chairman and six members of the Lokpal would require luxury vehicles while Supreme Court judges are provided modest sedans. He added that he hoped some members of the Lokpal would refuse to accept the cars.
Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed criticised the decision as a betrayal of the anti-corruption movement that led to the creation of the Lokpal. “Lokpal wants to buy seven luxury BMW cars worth ₹5 crore for itself. This is the same institution that was supposed to fight corruption after the ‘India Against Corruption’ movement. Using public funds in this way undermines the credibility of the institution,” she said on X.
The opposition’s criticism highlights growing concern over transparency and fiscal prudence within India’s premier anti-corruption body.
