Storage of child pornographic material an offence: Supreme Court sets aside Madras HC verdict

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday held that mere storage of child pornographic material is an offence under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act).

The top court also suggested that Parliament issue an ordinance to replace the term "child pornography" with "Child Sexual Exploitative and Abuse Material".

It has also directed all courts not to use the term "child pornography" anymore.

The bench comprising Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud and Justice JB Pardiwala set aside a recent decision of the Madras High Court in which it declared that mere downloading and viewing child pornography, without any intention to transmit, is not an offence.