Archive · 3 Dec 2025
Karnataka HC Quashes Complaint Against Energy Minister K J George
The Karnataka High Court has dismissed a complaint filed by BJP leaders against Energy Minister K J George and two others.
The complaint was about the procurement of smart meters for Bescom, a power distribution company.
The complainants alleged that a particular firm was unfairly favored in the tender process and that the meters were more expensive than similar ones in other states.
They wanted the minister and others to be prosecuted for misappropriation of property, breach of trust, and criminal conspiracy.
However, the high court said that the allegations did not amount to a criminal offense.
The court noted that the tender process was transparent and that the changes made were beneficial to the state.
Therefore, the court decided that the matter should be treated as a civil issue rather than a criminal one and quashed the complaint.
The Karnataka High Court quashed a private complaint against Energy Minister K J George and two others over the procurement of smart meters for Bescom.
The complaint was filed by BJP leaders, including MLA C N Ashwath Narayan, alleging illegalities in the tender process and higher costs for the meters.
The high court ruled that the allegations did not constitute a criminal offense but rather a civil matter.
The court noted that three bidders participated in the tender process transparently and that the terms were negotiated favorably for Bescom.
The high court criticized the lower court for not properly examining the allegations before calling for a Lokayukta report.
- Who
- Energy Minister K J George, former Bescom managing director Mahantesh Bilagi, Bescom technical director Ramesh H J, BJP leaders including MLA C N Ashwath Narayan
- What
- Karnataka High Court quashed a private complaint against Energy Minister K J George and others over Bescom smart meter procurement
- When
- The ruling was made on Tuesday
- Where
- Karnataka High Court
- Why
- The court deemed the allegations to be a civil matter rather than a criminal one, and found that the lower court had not properly examined the allegations before calling for a Lokayukta report
- Parties Involved
- Energy Minister K J George, former Bescom managing director Mahantesh Bilagi, Bescom technical director Ramesh H J, BJP leaders including MLA C N Ashwath Narayan
- Case Details
- Private complaint alleging undue favor in smart meter procurement tender
- Allegations
- Illegalities in bid evaluation, higher cost of meters, breach of trust, criminal conspiracy, corruption
- High Court Ruling
- Quashed the complaint, deemed it a civil matter, not criminal
- Tender Process
- Three bidders participated, terms negotiated favorably for Bescom
- Legal Provisions
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Prevention of Corruption Act, Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements Act
