AN INDIAN student who paid thousands of dollars to study in Australia was illegally detained at the Villawood detention centre for 18 months because of mistakes by immigration officers, the Australian Human Rights Commissioner has found.

The commissioner, Catherine Branson, has found that Prashant Cherkupalli, 31, should be paid $597,000 in compensation for the 509 days he was illegally detained between November 2004 and April 2006.

Indian student Prashant Cherkupalli was illegally detained at Villawood Detention Centre. Credit:Steve Christo

Mr Cherkupalli, 31, who kept his ordeal secret from his family, is now suing the Commonwealth in the NSW Supreme Court for damages.

''I was ashamed to tell my parents. I came here to do something and ended up in prison. I spent thousands of dollars from my family,'' he said.