US national Matthew VanDyke returns for NIA court hearing; allowed to stay abroad till Feb 24 in Myanmar training case
Delhi's NIA court let the American accused and six Ukrainian co-accused stay outside India until 24 February 2027 and gave VanDyke legal aid counsel.
American national Matthew Aaron VanDyke, an accused in the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) case over alleged training of armed groups in Myanmar, appeared before a special NIA court at Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court on Friday, 23 October, after returning from a court-permitted visit to the United States. The court allowed him and his six Ukrainian co-accused to remain outside India until 24 February 2027, and adjourned the matter to that date.
What happened in court
According to The Tribune, the hearing took place before Special Judge Prashant Sharma. The key developments reported were:
- Travel and appearance: The court extended permission for VanDyke and the six Ukrainians to stay abroad until 24 February 2027 and exempted them from personal appearance on the next date. The Ukrainian accused, who have not returned to India, sought exemption citing health grounds, which was accepted, Outlook reported.
- Legal aid: VanDyke’s counsel withdrew from the case citing non-payment of fees. VanDyke told the court he could not afford a private lawyer, following which he was given legal aid counsel.
- NIA’s stand: The agency told the court it had no objection to VanDyke appearing via video conferencing and sought three months for further investigation.
- Seized items: His plea for the return of his laptop, hard drives and documents was kept pending, with the NIA stating the probe is ongoing.
- Visa: The court said it had no objection to him seeking a visa extension from the FRRO, if the rules permit.
Speaking outside court, VanDyke said, “There’s no reason for it to continue,” according to The Tribune.
The allegations
The NIA alleges that VanDyke and the six Ukrainians entered India on tourist visas, travelled to the Northeast without the required permits, and crossed from Mizoram into Myanmar. There, the agency alleges, they spent nearly three months training members of ethnic armed groups, including the Chin National Front and the Kachin Independence Army, which are fighting Myanmar’s military junta. Reports have described the alleged training as including drone warfare. The accused were arrested on 13 March, Outlook reported. None of the allegations has been proved in court.
Default bail and dropped UAPA charges
The NIA initially invoked the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), including conspiracy provisions. However, its chargesheet filed in September did not include UAPA offences and instead proceeded under Sections 21 and 23 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, which are compoundable before the FRRO. The accused were then granted default bail in September; NewsBytes put the date at 18 September. VanDyke paid about Rs 5.5 lakh in compounding charges for the alleged immigration violations, the outlet reported.
On 24 September, the court had allowed VanDyke to travel to the US and the Ukrainians to travel to Ukraine for a month, on condition that they return, inform the court within 72 hours, and join the probe as required. The NIA has said its investigation into possible terror-related offences continues and that further allegations could appear in a supplementary chargesheet.
What next
The case will next be taken up on 24 February 2027. Although the court has permitted him to travel, VanDyke told reporters he intends to stay in India until the matter is concluded, The Tribune reported.
Sources
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