The data available on the Lokpal’s website revealed that the Lokpal has ordered preliminary inquiries in only 289 cases against all the complaints it has received so far. Photo credit: lokpal.gov.in
While the Lokpal of India’s decision to float a tender for seven luxury BMW cars has triggered public outrage, the anti-graft body’s own performance record shows a sharp decline in public engagement. The number of complaints the body has received since it began functioning in 2019–20 has dropped sharply from a peak of 2,469 cases in 2022–23 to just 233 up to September this year.
The Lokpal has the jurisdiction to inquire into allegations of corruption against individuals, including the Prime Minister, Ministers in the Union government and government officials.
Out of a total 6,955 complaints received by the Lokpal to date, 90% of the complaints, or 6,264 of them were received in the first four years of its establishment till 2023. The remaining 691 complaints were received in the last three years.
The data available on the Lokpal’s website also revealed that the Lokpal has ordered preliminary inquiries in only 289 cases against all the complaints it has received so far, and prosecution sanctions have been granted in just seven cases.
RTI activist Anjali Bhardwaj told The Hindu, “The Lokpal was created after a massive public campaign to ensure an independent authority could investigate big-ticket corruption involving top officials. Yet, in all these years, it has not sanctioned prosecution in any significant case. Most complaints are being dismissed on technicalities such as format errors, while serious corruption allegations go unaddressed.”
‘Lack of accountability’
Ms. Bhardwaj also questioned the Lokpal’s transparency and the pace of institutional development. “It hasn’t uploaded any annual report since 2021–22, and shockingly, its prosecution wing was notified only in June 2025 — twelve years after the Lokpal law was enacted. This reflects a lack of seriousness and accountability,” she said.
The controversial tender floated on October 16 by the Lokpal reads, “The Lokpal of India invites open tenders from reputed agencies for supply of seven BMW 3 series 330Li cars to the Lokpal of India”.
The luxury sedan were meant for its chairperson and members. The Lokpal currently has seven members, including Chairperson Justice A.M. Khanwilkar (retd.), though its sanctioned strength is eight.
RTI activist Commodore Lokesh Batra (retd.) said the Lokpal, being anti-corruption body should “save public money”.
The 78-year-old recalled that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee used a modest Ambassador car, which now stands as a permanent display at Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya in Teen Murti Marg area of New Delhi as a symbol of simplicity.
“The Lokpal should take inspiration from such examples and avoid unnecessary extravagance,” he said.
Published – October 25, 2025 10:03 pm IST
