India, Aug. 7 -- The Karnataka high court has temporarily halted the legal proceedings initiated against state energy minister KJ George, in connection with the allegations surrounding the state's smart meter tender process.

The interim stay was ordered by Justice MI Arun, who was hearing George's plea challenging the maintainability of a case filed in the Special Court designated to handle criminal matters involving lawmakers.

The case stems from a private complaint filed by BJP leaders CN Ashwath Narayan, SR Vishwanath and Dheeraj Muniraj. Earlier, on July 23, the Special Court had ordered the registration of a private complaint against George, former BESCOM managing director Mahantesh Bilgi and engineer Ramesh HJ. The complaint alleg...