Karnataka High Court Quashes Complaint Against Minister KJ George, BESCOM Officials Over Alleged Irregularities In Smart Meter Procurement

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday (December 2) quashed a private complaint by BJP leaders against State Energy Minister KJ George and BESCOM officials, alleging irregularities in the issuance of tender regarding procurement and installation of smart electric meters in the State.

Allowing George's plea Justice M I Arun said “Petitions are allowed. Consequently the proceedings pending before the trial court are quashed.”

A detailed copy of the order is awaited. 

The petitioners had sought to quash the private complaint dated 17.07.2025, registered for offence under sections 314, 316 and 61 of the BNS, 2023 and Section.13(1)(a) and 13(1)(b) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

He had also sought quashing of trial court order dated July 23, invoking powers u/s. 175(4) of the BNSS, wherein trial court directed the superintendent of police, Lokayuktha to file his report on or before the next date of hearing.

Senior Advocate C V Nagesh, appearing for the petitioners, argued that the persons who are labelled as accused in the case are public servants, including the Minister. It was argued that the petitioners enjoy protection at two stages–when prosecution is initiated, when cognisance is taken. Under the Prevention of Corruption Act, a public servant enjoys protection under Section 17A of the Act.

He had also argued that “The impugned order cannot be passed at all. A report from the officer superior in rank against whom the allegations is made is required to be called for. No report is called from my superior officer, he (trial court) calls it from the police.”

It was said, “Here the trial court has passed an order directing Lokayukta police to submit a report which is not permissible.”

Senior Advocate Lakshmy Iyengar for the respondents complainants–Dr. Ashwathnarayan C N & others, argued that after the police officer gives the report to the magistrate, he would call for a report from superior officers. She said that the trial court had called for a report asking what is done on the complaint made to the Lokayukta.

Pointing to the powers of the Magistrate to call for a report, she had argued that Section 175 (3) and Section 175 (4) of the BNSS are not exclusive to each other.

Three BJP MLAs— C. N. Ashwath Narayan, S.R. Vishwanath and Dheeraj Muniraj had in April lodged a complaint with the Lokayukta police. Following this, they filed the private complaint before the special court, which passed the impugned order.

Case Title: KJ George AND State of Karnataka & Others

Case No: Criminal Petition 11573/2025 c/w Criminal Petition No. 11571/2025.

Citation No: 2025 LiveLaw (Kar) 413

Appearance: 

(K J George matter) - Sr. Advocate CV Nagesh & KN Phaneendra for Advocate Shathabish Shivanna, Samrudh Hegde and Abhishek Janardhan

Mahantesh Bilagi matter: Sr. Advocate Vikram Huilgol for advocates. Leela P Devadiga, Kartik Natesan and Mrinal Kuttappa

Senior Advocate Lakshmy Iyengar for Respondents 2 to 4.