New Delhi, Dec. 1 -- The Supreme Court on Monday issued strong directions in the suo moto (self-initiated) case with regard to 'digital-arrests' committed by cyber criminals and fraudsters across the country.

A bench led by CJI Surya Kant directed that the CBI shall act with free hands to initiate the first investigation in the cases of digital arrest scams. It clarified that the CBI is authorised to freeze accounts used for committing cybercrimes even in the absence of an FIR.

"The digital arrests scam requires the immediate attention of the premier investigating agency of the country. Therefore, we proceed with the clear direction that CBI shall firstly investigate the cases on the digital arrests scam," the apex court said.

In order...