SC flags rise of digital arrest frauds, asks Centre to codify it as standalone crime

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday said the Central government should examine defining “digital arrest” in criminal statutes and making it a standalone offence with harsher consequences for those indulged in such kind of offences.

A three-judge bench of the apex court, headed by CJI Surya Kant, and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana explained that the digital arrest refers to cyber fraud where impersonators posing as law-enforcement or government officials use audio and video calls to intimidate victims and coerce payments.