According to documents released on October 16, 2025, the Lokpal of India has floated an official tender to purchase seven BMW 3 Series 330 Li vehicles, each priced around ₹70 lakh. The total expenditure is estimated to be ₹5 crore, covering the vehicles’ on-road cost and associated logistics.
The cars will reportedly be delivered to the Lokpal’s headquarters in Delhi’s Vasant Kunj Institutional Area, with completion expected within 30 days of supply order issuance. The tender specifies that the vehicles are for the chairperson and six members of the Lokpal — the apex body tasked with investigating allegations of corruption against public officials under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013.
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Officials clarified that this purchase replaces older vehicles used since the body’s inception and aligns with procurement standards for equivalent constitutional offices. Yet, the choice of high-end sedans, often associated with the corporate elite, has raised eyebrows in governance circles.
The Model: BMW 3 Series 330 Li
The BMW 3 Series 330 Li, part of BMW’s latest long-wheelbase 3 Series lineup, is known for its spacious rear cabin and advanced comfort features — a key factor cited in the tender documents. Launched in India earlier this year, it is among the largest sedans in its class, offering additional rear legroom and enhanced suspension for official use.
The Lokpal’s tender details specify seven identical units, featuring top-tier safety equipment and performance specifications suited for official mobility in the capital. Delivery will be coordinated through BMW’s authorized Indian vendor network, which will also conduct mandatory driver and staff training on operational safety and maintenance. The tender mandates at least seven days of combined practical and theoretical training, to be completed within 15 days of vehicle delivery.
The move places the Lokpal’s fleet among the most premium in India’s statutory bodies — a contrast to the typical government-issued SUVs and sedans traditionally used by public institutions.
Procurement Protocols and Delivery Schedule
The tender, issued through the Central Public Procurement System (CPPP), outlines a precise timeline: vendors must complete vehicle supply within two weeks of the order date, extendable to 30 days in case of delays. Delivery is to be made directly to the Lokpal’s office compound, where the vehicles will undergo inspection before formal handover.
The document further mandates that the selected supplier must handle all registration, insurance, and driver familiarization programs, in coordination with Lokpal’s administrative division. Training sessions will be supervised by Lokpal’s internal committee and finalized after consultation with the Chairperson.
Officials emphasized that the procurement was conducted transparently and in accordance with established norms for autonomous bodies. Still, the optics of a corruption watchdog acquiring luxury cars have stirred commentary on social media, prompting questions about the balance between institutional prestige and fiscal prudence.
Understanding the Lokpal’s Role
Constituted under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, the Lokpal is India’s first national institution empowered to investigate complaints of corruption against public servants — including ministers and senior bureaucrats. The body comprises a Chairperson and eight members, of whom four must be judicial members.
The Chairperson’s salary and service conditions are equivalent to those of the Chief Justice of India, while other members enjoy parity with Supreme Court judges. The Lokpal’s mandate covers cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act and includes powers of inquiry, prosecution, and disciplinary recommendation.
Since its operationalization in 2019, the Lokpal has sought to project independence and integrity through infrastructure upgrades and digital reforms. The latest vehicle tender, officials say, is part of “institutional modernization,” not extravagance — but it inevitably fuels a larger public conversation about symbols of accountability in governance.
