(1.) Heard.
(2.) Leave granted.
(3.) This batch of appeals, which involves identical questions of fact and law, arises from the judgments delivered by the Division Bench of the High Court of Karnataka, as listed in the table below. Given the similarities, the appeals have been heard together and are being decided collectively. <IMG>JUDGEMENT_66_LAWS(SC)8_2024_1.jpg</IMG> Civil Appeals arising out of SLP (C) No(s). 13484-13488 of 2019 shall be treated as the lead matter. The outcome of these appeals shall govern all the connected matters.