Bengaluru, Aug 6 (NationPress) - The Karnataka High Court has temporarily halted legal actions against Energy Minister K. J. George and officials from the Bengaluru Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) concerning a private complaint that claims irregularities in the tendering process for purchasing and installing smart electric meters across the state.

The complaint was initiated by members of the BJP, and legal proceedings were underway in the trial court.

The bench presided by Justice M. I. Arun issued the stay and scheduled the next hearing for August 20. The court mandated that no further proceedings occur until additional instructions are provided.

The complainants are seeking to have the allegations against them dismissed. Nevertheless, the bench has instructed the Karnataka Lokayukta to present its findings by the next hearing date.

Senior counsel C. V. Nagesh, representing George and Bescom officials, contended that all individuals implicated in the case, including the minister, are public servants and thus entitled to protection under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act when facing prosecution or when an offense is acknowledged.

He additionally noted that the trial court had ordered the Lokayukta police to deliver a report, which he argued was against legal provisions.

BJP MLA and former Deputy Chief Minister C. N. Ashwath Narayan, along with other BJP figures, previously lodged a complaint with the Lokayukta and the Governor regarding the purported smart meter scandal.

The Karnataka BJP also demanded that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah dismiss George and called for his resignation amid the controversy. Nonetheless, the minister has denied all accusations.

Ashwath Narayan has claimed that the smart meter scandal could involve an estimated Rs 15,000 crore, stressing the gravity of the issue.

He alleged that the contract was awarded to an unqualified contractor, an agreement was established with a blacklisted company, regulations were flouted, and exorbitant fees were charged, among the highest nationally, even when unnecessary.

"Despite exposing these violations, this self-serving ATM government attempted to exploit the public brazenly. We reported the matter to the Lokayukta police in April and later filed a follow-up petition. Due to delays, we submitted a private criminal complaint to the court. I, along with MLAs S. R. Vishwanath and Dheeraj Muniraju, approached the court,” stated Ashwath Narayan.

He insisted that the current contract should be annulled, citing an abuse of power, and reiterated his demand for George’s resignation.

BJP Legislative Council member K. S. Naveen also accused that farmers from Chitradurga district have protested three times, asserting that "the primary motive behind the implementation of smart meters is profit generation."