i'd say he deserves it in a way because he tried to perform something illegal. you can't just create an ATM and install it anywhere and expect the government to allow you to do it too.
and it is not about Indian government that you are creating so much drama about them with this topic. if you do the same in any other country, you will be arrested the same way!
Well, he might have broken a law or two just by installing a public machine that accepts currency, but I wouldn't say he "deserves" it any more than an unlicensed street vendor or even an unlicensed moneychanger would get fined (and they're plenty of that in India) - but yeah, getting arrested would seem like the government is going overboard - it wasn't like he was stealing anyone's money! I'm pretty sure the Malaysians who installed the first ATMs back in 2015 didn't actually follow any rules, probably registered them as you would any vending machine...
Mate, I am also an Indian and I am not creating any drama here! If you are an Indian then you know the current state of the employment and healthcare in India! But the government is focused on building "Ram Mandir" instead of providing basic healthcare and job to the public. They have their priorities set incorrectly! So it's not a drama in any way! Indian government needs a mentality change, they need to come out of the current orthodox mentality for good! We need a leader who understand the need of the citizens and to open doors to technology to the country! This is 21st century and instead of going forward, we are indeed going back to the stone age! Qualified persons are flying out of the country and not coming back because they found an amazing life abroad! That's what is the failure of the government!
It's always the same tail wagging the dog, my friend. India may be in the extreme, but it's typical for the state to focus on the easier narratives of creating fear and misunderstanding, and then taking action to make it appear they're protecting the public interest when really it's just a show of power. They don't like Bitcoin - understandably - and want to hammer in that point.
On the bright side, this sort of behaviour will push Indians toward seeking better, p2p methods, to get their Bitcoin (and sell). Push liberties away and they go underground and all the better for it.