According to the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018, who among the following can be held liable ?

1. Any person who induces a public servant to perform improperly a public duty by giving or promising to give any undue advantage

2. Any public servant who obtains or accepts or attempts to obtain from any person any undue advantage

3. A person who is compelled to give undue advantage and has reported the same to the concerned authority

4. A commercial organisation offering undue advantage to any public servant

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

The Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018 introduced significant changes to the legal framework against corruption in India. Under Section 7, a public servant is liable for obtaining, accepting, or attempting to obtain an undue advantage (Statement 2). Section 8 makes bribe-giving a specific offence, holding individuals liable who induce public servants through undue advantage (Statement 1). Crucially, the Act provides immunity to persons compelled to give a bribe, provided they report the matter to law enforcement within seven days; therefore, such persons are not held liable (Statement 3 is incorrect). Furthermore, Section 9 extends liability to commercial organisations if their associates offer bribes to public servants to gain business advantages (Statement 4). Consequently, only statements 1, 2, and 4 describe parties that can be held liable under the Act.