New Delhi, July 28 -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday urged the Union government to define "digital arrest" as a standalone criminal offence with stringent punishment, while also stressing the need for a law to tackle the growing menace of deepfakes and other emerging online crimes.

A Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana observed that where a court forms a prima facie opinion against an accused based on cogent material, authorities should be empowered to freeze the person's assets pending investigation.

Justice Bagchi highlighted the increasing threat posed by deepfakes and stressed the need for legislative measures to define and regulate such emerging forms of online offences.

Solicitor...