Top anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal drew sharp criticism from the opposition on Wednesday after floating a tender to procure seven luxurious BMW cars, with leaders accusing the “guardians of integrity” of “chasing luxury over legitimacy”.Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh took a sharp dig at the Lokpal, saying the institution is now a “Shauq pal”, a play on the Urdu word that loosely translates to pursuing personal interests or indulgences.
Ramesh also questioned the Lokpal’s investigative track record, asking what significant arrests or probes it has accomplished. He said the Lokpal is now more of a “shock pal”, “shok (mourn) pal” and “shauq (indulgence) pal”.
It needs to be asked what investigations has the Lokpal carried out and whose arrests it has succeeded in, Ramesh said.