Sri B S Kiran Kumar v. State of Karnataka
Case brief
What is this about?
Tender challenge; judicial review of tender conditions; Article 14 manifest arbitrariness; ward-wise versus consolidated/multiple-ward packages; consortium bidding (maximum five members); MSME/small contractor eligibility and turnover; BSWML/BBMP solid waste tender 2025-26; administrative discretion of tender issuing authority; efficiency rationale; Esteco Coal Services and Electronic Enterprises distinguished; Puttaswamy privacy tripartite test applied to CCTV surveillance; data retention 75 days; SOP and access controls; continuing mandamus; quarterly compliance reports; WP No. 27474 of 2025, High Court of Karnataka, Suraj Govindaraj J, decided 03.11.2025.
What did the court decide?
Writ petition dismissed, no grounds being made out. However, the Court issued extensive 'General Directions' establishing an integrated technology-driven SWM governance framework for Bengaluru: constitution of a Nodal Oversight and Implementation Committee for SWM Surveillance within 15 days; a unified 'One City, One Platform' digital platform (web dashboard and citizen mobile app with live vehicle tracking, performance scorecards, geo-tagged grievance redressal with complainant-verified closure); GPS/AVL on all SWM vehicles; computerised weighbridge integration via APIs; phased CCTV surveillance (Phase I: garbage blackspots and transfer/aggregation points; Phase II: processing/disposal facilities and high-density generation areas) with 4K colour night-vision cloud-connected cameras; contractor payments linked to KPI/dashboard data; a public SOP within 90 days with 75-day footage retention, bilingual signboards, role-based access control, encryption and India-located servers; evidence-based e-challan enforcement with a two-tier grievance mechanism; DPR within six weeks; quarterly compliance reports; continuing mandamus with review every four months. The last date for submission of bids was extended to 10.11.2025 at the petitioners' request, and the matter was to be re-listed on 10.12.2025 for the first compliance report.