The Supreme Court on Monday (October 27) sought comprehensive details from all States and Union Territories regarding cases of “digital arrest”, taking note of the alarming rise in such cybercrimes across the country.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi issued notices to all States and UTs, asking them to provide information on the FIRs registered in their jurisdictions.

Observing the “pan-India nature and magnitude of digital arrest crimes”, the court said it was inclined to entrust the investigation of all such cases to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), The Indian Express reported.

While hearing a plea on the issue, the bench said it would monitor the progress of the CBI’s probe and issue further directions as necessary.

The court also asked the agency to prepare and submit a plan to investigate cases originating from offshore locations, noting that many of these scams have international links.

In addition, the bench directed the CBI to indicate whether it requires more resources, including the assistance of cyber experts outside the police force, to conduct effective investigations.

The court’s action follows its earlier order in October, when it sought responses from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the CBI on a complaint by a senior citizen couple from Ambala.

The couple alleged that they were defrauded of over Rs 1.05 crore by digital arrest fraudsters who threatened them using forged orders purportedly from the Supreme Court, the Bombay High Court, and the Enforcement Directorate.

The apex court had taken suo motu cognisance of their September 21 complaint.