- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:3399-DB CCC No. 1350 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 21ST DAY OF JANUARY, 2026 PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR. VIBHU BAKHRU, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE C.M. POONACHA CIVIL CONTEMPT PETITION NO. 1350 OF 2025 BETWEEN: 1. SEETHALAKSHMI WIFE OF LATE A. KRISHNAPPA AGED ABOUT 66 YEARS RESIDING AT NO.7/278 2ND MAIN, 3RD CROSS NEAR VIVEKANANDA SCHOOL SIR M.V. EXTENSION HOSAKOTE TOWN BENGALURU - 562 114 …COMPLAINANT (BY SRI SHRIDHAR PRABHU, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. SHIVA SHANKARA N PRESENTLY WORKING AS A MANAGING DIRECTOR OF BANGALORE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY COMPANY LIMITED (BESCOM) HAVING ITS REGISTERED OFFICE AT K.R. CIRCLE, BENGALURU - 560 001 2. PUTTASHAMAIAH PRESENTLY WORKING AS AN Digitally signed by VEERENDRA KUMAR K M Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:3399-DB CCC No. 1350 of 2025 ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE ENGINEER (AEE) (COM.O AND M) TO BANGALORE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY COMPANY LIMITED (BESCOM) HAVING ITS REGISTERED OFFICE AT KEB CIRCLE, HOSAKOTE SUB DIVISION HOSAKOTE - 562 114 EMAIL-aeehosakote@bescom.co.in …ACCUSED (BY SMT. PADMA S. UTTUR, ADVOCATE FOR ACCUSED NO.2) THIS CCC IS FILED UNDER ARTICLE 215 OF THE CONSTITUTION AND THE CONTEMPT OF COURT ACT, 1971, PRAYING TO CONDUCT AN ENQUIRY AND INITIATE A CONTEMPT PROCEEDING AGAINST THE ACCUSED FOR THEIR WILFUL DISOBEDIENCE OF ORDER DATED 20.11.2024 PASSED BY THIS HON'BLE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA IN WRIT PETITION NO.17053/2024 (GM-KEB) (SEETHALAKSHMI V. BANGALORE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY COMPANY LIMITED AND ANOTHER) PRODUCED AT ANNEXURE-A. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:3399-DB CCC No. 1350 of 2025 CORAM: HON'BLE MR. VIBHU BAKHRU, CHIEF JUSTICE and HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE C.M. POONACHA ORAL ORDER (PER: HON'BLE MR. VIBHU BAKHRU, CHIEF JUSTICE) 1. The complainant has filed the present complaint alleging willful disobedience of the order dated 20.11.2024, passed by the learned Single Judge of this Court in W.P.No.17053/2024 (GM-KEB). The operative part of the said order reads as under: "11. The BESCOM is, therefore, directed to supply energy by collecting only half monthly energy charges. If the petitioner has paid any sums in excess of the half monthly charges as security deposit, the same shall be adjusted as against the consumption of the petitioner energy charges. This Writ Petition is, accordingly, disposed of. 12. It is needless to state that the undertaking given by the Managing Director that BESCOM would take all measures to ensure that payments would be made payable by UPI within six months is to be adhered to by BESCOM and if the said undertaking is not adhered to, the petitioner is granted liberty to make an appropriate application in this very petition." 2. The accused has filed an affidavit which indicates that the BESCOM has already taken steps for facilitating payment through UPI. It is stated that a work order has been issued to State Bank of India [SBI]. - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:3399-DB CCC No. 1350 of 2025 3. It is stated that the BESCOM has installed a UPI scanner at Hoskote Sub-Division and payments were made at BESCOM Hoskote SOD cash counter using Point of Sale (POS) device. The learned counsel submits that the availability of the said facility would be further expanded. 4. The learned counsel appearing for the complainant submits that in addition to providing the facility for payment by UPI, the accused is also obliged to refund the security deposit. However, we find that no such direction has been issued in this regard. 5. We do not consider it apposite to initiate proceedings under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971. The complaint is accordingly closed. 6. We, however, clarify that this will not preclude the complainant from initiating appropriate proceedings for refund of security deposit if she is entitled to such refund. Sd/- (VIBHU BAKHRU) CHIEF JUSTICE Sd/- (C.M. POONACHA) JUDGE KMV/List No.: 1 Sl No.: 44