VanDyke and the six Ukrainians were arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in March 2026 in a case involving allegations of providing weapons and drone-warfare training to ethnic armed groups in Myanmar.
Delhi court allows Matthew VanDyke to stay abroad for a longer period of time (Image: Reuters)
Delhi,Oct 23, 2026 14:59 IST
The Rouse Avenue court in Delhi has allowed American national Matthew Aaron VanDyke to travel to the United States after he returned to India to attend a court hearing. The court also extended permission for six Ukrainian nationals to stay outside India until the next hearing on February 24, news agency ANI reported.
VanDyke and the six Ukrainians were arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in March 2026 in a case involving allegations of providing weapons and drone-warfare training to ethnic armed groups in Myanmar.
BAIL AND PERMISSION TO TRAVEL
VanDyke was granted default bail by the Rouse Avenue court on September 18. He walked out of Tihar Jail on September 24 after the necessary formalities were completed.
The court had earlier allowed VanDyke and six Ukrainian nationals to travel to their respective countries for a month to meet their families. The latest order extends permission for the six Ukrainians to remain outside India until February 24.
WHAT IS THE CASE?
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested VanDyke and the six Ukrainian nationals in a case involving allegations of providing weapons and drone-warfare training to ethnic armed groups in Myanmar.
The agency alleged that the foreign nationals travelled through Mizoram and entered Myanmar, where they were involved in a pre-scheduled training programme for ethnic armed groups. The alleged training included drone operations, assembly and jamming technology.
In its chargesheet, the NIA invoked provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act but did not include charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The agency has said its investigation into the alleged terror angle is continuing.
CONGRESS QUESTIONS GOVERNMENT
The court's earlier decision to allow VanDyke to travel to the US triggered criticism from Congress. Party leaders questioned whether pressure from Washington had influenced the government's handling of the case.
Congress leaders also questioned why UAPA provisions were not included in the chargesheet and raised concerns over the alleged circumstances in which the foreign nationals entered India and travelled to Myanmar.
The allegations of external pressure were made by the Congress. The NIA's investigation into the case is continuing.
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