ORDER :

These writ petitions have been connected together, heard together and are disposed of by this common judgment.

2. In essence, these appeals assail the following :

(I) In Writ Petition No.12300/2020: (i) Government Order No.Gra.Aa.Pa:21:Ka.Gra.Mu:2018, Bengaluru, dated 12.04.2018 (Annexure ‘Q’); (ii) Government Order No.UPLOK-2/DE-359/2018, Bengaluru dated 23.07.2018 (Annexure ‘R’); and (iii) Articles of Charge in reference No.UpaLok-2/DE-359/2018/ARE-8, dated: 30.08.2018 issued by the Lokayukta (Annexure ‘S’);

(II) In Writ Petition No.12278/2020: (i) Government Order No.Gra.Aa.Pa:21:Ka.Gra.Mu:2018, Bengaluru, dated 12.04.2018 (Annexure ‘Q’) passed by the State Government; (ii) Government Order No.UPLOK-2/DE-359/2018, Bengaluru, dated 23.07.2018 (Annexure ‘R’); (iii) Articles of Charge in reference No.UpaLok-2/DE-359/2018/ARE-8, dated: 30.08.2018 issued by the Lokayukta (Annexure ‘S’) under Rule 14-A of the Karnataka Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1957 (for short ‘CCA Rules’);

(III) In Writ Petition No.45764/2017: (i) Articles of Charge in reference No.UPLOK-1/DE/251/2017/ARE-4 dated 31.05.2017 issued by the Lokayukta (Annexure ‘A’); (ii) Government Or