India, Oct. 6 -- The Bombay High Court recently imposed a Rs.1 lakh fine on the state government as compensation to a businessman who was allegedly illegally arrested by the police last year. The court on September 29 ruled that the authorities invoked non-bailable offences against the man without the approval of their superior officers.

Vasantha Perampally Nayak moved the High Court after his arrest on October 23, 2024, in connection with a financial dispute and was kept in custody for 20 days. He stated that his arrest was illegal and sought relief against the charges.

Nayak and the complainant in the case are maternal cousins who, since 1999, have been engaged in the perfume oils business. They established a partnership firm in 2000,...