Anti-graft ombudsman Lokpal has cancelled its controversial tender to procure seven luxury BMW cars, collectively worth around ₹5 crore, two months after it was floated, officials said on Thursday (January 1, 2026). The move assumes significance as Opposition parties and civil society activists had slammed the Lokpal's decision to procure the high-end vehicles. The Lokpal had, on October 16, 2025, floated a request for proposal seeking bids from reputed agencies for the supply of seven BMW 3 Series 330Li cars. The Lokpal is headed by a chairperson and can have a maximum of eight members -- four each judicial and non-judicial. The tender had specified BMW 330Li "M Sport" models with "long wheelbase" in white colour for procurement.

Source: The Hindu January 01, 2026 14:49 UTC