The Delhi High Court has upheld the conviction and sentence of a police Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) in a corruption case dating back nearly three decades. A bench of Justice Chandrasekharan Sudha held that minor inconsistencies in witness testimony cannot eclipse clear proof of demand and acceptance of illegal gratification. The Court, however, relied on the principle that the testimony of hostile witnesses remains usable to the extent it supports the prosecution. The Court also observed that while the trial court failed to conduct a hearing under Section 232 CrPC, this did not vitiate the proceedings as the accused failed to show serious and substantial prejudice. Accordingly, the Court upheld the conviction and concurrent sentences, including a maximum of two and half years of rigorous imprisonment, imposed by the trial court.