PRAYAGRAJ, Oct. 1 -- Detaining an accused's family member to pressure him into surrendering is unlawful, the Allahabad high court held while ordering Rs.40,000 compensation to a man who spent four days in police custody despite having no connection with the case against his brother.

A division bench of Justice Atul Sreedharan and Justice Divesh Chandra Samant observed that such detention amounts to unlawful deprivation of liberty and entitles the detained person to compensation.

The court passed the order while allowing a habeas corpus petition filed by Arvind Kumar Yadav, who alleged he was illegally detained at George Town police station in Prayagraj.

The court directed that the Rs.40,000 compensation awarded to Yadav for his wrongfu...