Blitz Bureau
THE Karnataka High Court has recalled its recent order, which stated that only viewing child pornography is not an offense under the IT Act. Justice M Nagaprasanna withdrew the order stating that the Bench had earlier ‘misread’ Section 67B (b) while passing the order.
“We are also human beings and mistakes do happen on our side. There is always an opportunity for corrections. An inquiry will be done in this regard and a new order will be delivered. This order is cancelled,” the Bench said.
It also noted that the order was passed under Section 67B (a) of the IT Act, following a petition filed in this regard by the state government.
Section 67B (b) of the IT Act states that creating text or digital pictures, collecting, searching, browsing, downloading, making advertisements, circulating, exchanging, or picturising children in an obscene, indecent manner is open for investigation under the section.
The court further said, “It is not in dispute that the petitioner, in the case at hand, has browsed child pornographic material for about 50 minutes. Browsing child pornographic material makes it an offence under Section 67B(b) of the Act
