HC issues notice to Karnataka govt, Bescom over repeated vehicle tender cancellations

This development comes after blrpost.com exclusively reported that Bescom floated the same vehicle-hiring tender five times between June 2025 and January 2026, with each bidding cycle ending without finalisation

Bengaluru

The Karnataka High Court has issued notices to the State Government and Bescom (Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited) in connection with a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the cancellation of tenders floated for hiring vehicles for official use.

A division bench headed by Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru heard the petition filed by Ashwath Kumar, a resident of Manorayanapalya in RT Nagar, on Thursday. After hearing preliminary arguments, the bench directed issuance of notices to the State Energy Department and other respondents and adjourned the matter to April 15.

According to the petition, in 2021-22, Bescom had invited a ₹52.28 crore tender to hire 593 vehicles for a period of two years for use by its officials. A separate ₹63.08 crore tender was also floated to hire 531 vehicles for the operation and maintenance of service stations within Bescom’s jurisdiction.

This development comes after blrpost.com exclusively reported that Bescom floated the same vehicle-hiring tender five times between June 2025 and January 2026, with each bidding cycle ending without finalisation or award of contract. A review of tender records showed the process began on June 21, 2025, and was subsequently reissued on August 28, September 26, December 1 and December 24, before being cancelled each time.

Also read the exclusive story: Five failed tenders, no closure: Allegations of corruption rock Bescom vehicle contract

Highly placed sources within Bescom alleged that the repeated cancellations were the result of decisions taken at the highest levels of the organisation. They named Managing Director N Shivashankar, Technical Director Ramesh H J, and Satish Kumar, Personal Secretary to Energy Minister K J George, claiming the tender process was being manipulated to favour certain contractors. These allegations have not been officially confirmed.

The petitioner in the HC alleged that the Managing Director and Technical Director of Bescom had divided the tenders into 19 packages to suit certain interests. When the intended objective was not achieved, the tenders were allegedly cancelled without valid reasons. 

The petitioner has sought a stay on the ongoing tender process, contending that repeated cancellations and reissuance would impose an undue financial burden on the State exchequer.