Congress MPs Slam India's Anti-Corruption Watchdog Lokpal Over Rs 70 Lakh BMW Purchase Plan

P Chidambaram and Abhishek Singhvi has slammed Lokpal's BMW plan. (Image in centre is AI generated)

Prominent Congress figures and Rajya Sabha MPs P Chidambaram and Abhishek Singhvi have expressed strong criticism towards India's anti-corruption watchdog Lokpal following its decision to purchase seven BMW luxury vehicles for its members. Each vehicle carries an approximate on-road price tag of Rs 70 lakh.

Chidambaram, who previously served as Home Minister, questioned the necessity for such luxury vehicles when Supreme Court judges are provided with more modest transportation options. He stated on social media platform X: "When Honourable judges of the Supreme Court are provided modest sedans, why do the Chairman and six members of the Lokpal require BMW cars? Why spend public money to acquire these cars? I hope that at least one or two members of the Lokpal have refused, or will refuse, to accept these cars."

Singhvi, who holds a personal connection to the institution as chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Lokpal, noted that his father, former parliamentarian Dr LM Singhvi, was the original architect of the Lokpal concept in the 1960s. He described the current situation as "tragic irony," stating that "the guardians of integrity [are] chasing luxury over legitimacy."

Further highlighting what he perceives as inefficiency, Singhvi pointed out that since its establishment in 2019, Lokpal has received 8,703 complaints, resulting in only 24 investigations and 6 prosecution sanctions. He remarked, "And now, BMWs worth Rs 70 lakh each. If this is our anti-corruption watchdog, it's more poodle than panther."

According to an official notification dated October 16, Lokpal has initiated open tenders for the procurement of seven BMW 3 Series Li automobiles. Reports indicate that BMW will also provide a week-long training program for Lokpal drivers and staff.

The current leadership of Lokpal includes Chairperson Justice AM Khanwilkar, a former Supreme Court judge, alongside other members such as retired judges Justice L Narayana Swamy, Justice Sanjay Yadav and Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, former Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra, and retired bureaucrats Pankaj Kumar and Ajay Tirkey.