Read the following statements thoroughly: 1.

Solution

Demand of illegal gratification is a sine qua non for conviction under Section 7 of the PC Act. Courts have repeatedly held that acceptance or recovery of money without proof of demand is insufficient. However, demand need not always be proved through direct oral testimony. It may be established through circumstantial evidence such as conduct of the accused, surrounding circumstances, recorded conversations, or corroborative material. Acceptance without proof of demand does not satisfy the statutory requirement.