India, July 28 -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday said that the Union Government may consider formally defining digital arrest in criminal law and declaring it as a standalone offence with harsher punishments.

Digital arrest is a growing form of cybercrime in which fraudsters pose as law-enforcement officers, court officials or personnel from government agencies to intimidate victims through audio and video calls. They hold the victims hostage and put pressure on them to pay money.

A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana said once a prima facie opinion is drawn against an accused in such cases on the basis of reasoned evidence, his assets could be frozen.

Attorney General (AG) R Venkataramani...