Overview
- Justice M. I. Arun allowed petitions on December 2, setting aside a special court’s order that had sought a Lokayukta police report and halting all related criminal proceedings.
- K. J. George, former BESCOM MD Mahantesh Bilagi, and director-technical Ramesh H. J. had challenged the July 23 directive after BJP legislators filed a private complaint in July.
- The High Court noted there was no allegation of money changing hands at the time of award, found bidder selection transparent, and recorded that post-award negotiations benefited BESCOM.
- The complaint by MLAs C. N. Ashwath Narayan, S. R. Vishwanath, and Dheeraj Muniraj alleged the process favored Rajashree Electricals, described as a shell entity and a front for the minister.
- The bench also addressed procedural defects cited by the petitioners regarding the trial court’s reliance on BNSS Section 175(4), and a detailed written order is awaited.