India, Oct. 27 -- The Supreme Court on Monday sought details of digital arrests pending investigation across the country as it considered a uniform investigation by an independent agency, preferably the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

A bench of justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi gave a week for the information to be furnished. "The states and UTs [Union territories] are directed to file details of cyber arrest pending investigation in their jurisdictions." The matter will be taken up next on November 3.

The court was hearing a suo motu petition over the digital arrests, a sophisticated form of cyber fraud in which criminals impersonate law enforcement officers, intelligence officials, or even judges to coerce and extort mon...