Karnataka HC calls for records of all six rounds of BESCOM vehicle tender

Bengaluru

 The Karnataka High Court has called for records relating to all six rounds of the Bengaluru Electricity Supply Company Limited’s (BESCOM) vehicle-hiring tender, bringing the successive bidding processes, cancellation of earlier tenders and award of the contract to VTT Mobility under scrutiny.

The direction was issued in Writ Petition No. 4419/2026 by a Division Bench comprising Justices Anu Sivaraman and K.S. Bharat on October 17, 2026. The records sought include tender notifications, bid documents, details of participating bidders, technical evaluations, financial bids and decisions taken by BESCOM from the first to the sixth tender call.

The examination of these records is significant in establishing the sequence of events leading to the latest tender, particularly the fifth call, identified as Tender No. 251, and the subsequent sixth call.

The records could help clarify the reasons for repeated cancellations and re-invitations, the procedures followed during the successive rounds and the basis on which BESCOM proceeded with the latest tender.

Fifth and sixth calls under scrutiny

The fifth tender call, numbered 251, and the subsequent sixth call are key stages in the procurement process.

The tender notifications, cancellation orders, recorded reasons for cancellation and administrative approvals relating to the successive calls would be relevant to understanding how the process evolved.

The technical and financial evaluation records would also help establish the eligibility of participating bidders, the criteria applied during the selection process and the basis for the final decision.

Any differences between the procedures followed during the fifth and sixth calls would need to be assessed against the applicable tender conditions and procurement rules.

Legal opinion and award to VTT Mobility

The legal opinion obtained by BESCOM in connection with the sixth tender is another aspect requiring examination.

The documents submitted for obtaining the opinion, the legal questions referred to the authorities concerned and the final opinion would help establish the legal basis on which BESCOM proceeded with the sixth call.

The records would also need to be examined to determine whether relevant documents from the earlier tender calls were considered while arriving at the decision.

The award of the contract to VTT Mobility is another key element of the process. The company’s eligibility, compliance with the tender conditions, evaluation outcome and the decision to issue the work order would need to be assessed against the relevant procurement requirements.

The records of other participating bidders, including their technical qualifications and financial bids, would also be relevant to understanding the selection process and assessing whether the prescribed procedures were followed.

Procurement transparency

The tender process must comply with the applicable provisions of the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements Act, 1999, the relevant tender conditions and the principles of fairness and non-arbitrariness embodied in Article 14 of the Constitution.

The examination of records from all six calls would provide the documentary basis for assessing the decisions taken at different stages of the procurement process.

The precise legal implications will depend on the records placed before the court and the further proceedings in the case.

Drivers and vehicle owners face uncertainty

Meanwhile, any cancellation of the existing vehicle-hiring tender or transition to a new arrangement could have financial implications for drivers and vehicle owners currently providing services to BESCOM’s offices, divisions and subdivisions.

Outstanding drivers’ wages, payments due to vehicle owners, fuel expenses and other contractual dues would need to be settled in accordance with the applicable agreements and labour laws.

Vehicle owners may also have continuing financial commitments, including loan instalments, equated monthly instalments (EMIs), insurance premiums, maintenance expenses and drivers’ salaries.

Any disruption in the existing arrangement could affect their ability to meet these obligations. Clear arrangements for settling pending payments and maintaining essential vehicle services would therefore be important if the contract is discontinued or replaced.