Storage Of Child Pornography Without Deletion Or Reporting Indicates Intention To Transmit, Constitutes POCSO Act Offence :Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of India held that storing child pornography without deleting or reporting it indicates an intent to transmit, which constitutes an offense under the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act. This ruling reversed a Madras High Court decision, which had quashed proceedings against an accused for merely storing such content. The Supreme Court emphasized that failing to delete or report such material demonstrates a culpable mental state, making the individual liable under Section 15 of the POCSO Act, even without actual transmission.