Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Family Seeks US Intervention Over VanDyke Detention in Delhi
Matthew VanDyke is an American man being held in a jail in Delhi, India.
His family says he is being kept alone and is not receiving some basic rights.
They want the United States government to help him.
His lawyers say he had trouble eating the jail food and lost about 14 kilograms.
A court ordered the jail to provide special vegetarian food and other support.
Indian investigators accuse him of teaching military and drone skills to armed groups.
VanDyke’s family and lawyers deny those accusations.
Investigators have also received permission to question him in jail.
Matthew VanDyke’s family has asked the United States Department of State to intervene in his detention at Delhi’s Tihar Jail.
The family alleges VanDyke is being held in solitary confinement and denied adequate food, medical care, family contact, and consular services.
His lawyers told a Delhi court that he lost about 14 kilograms after going on hunger strike over the prison’s standard food.
The court directed Tihar authorities to provide a specialised vegetarian diet, supervised access to a cook, an electric kettle, and mosquito protection.
India’s National Investigation Agency alleges VanDyke trained armed groups near the India-Myanmar border, while his family and lawyers reject the accusations.
- Who
- Matthew VanDyke, his family and lawyers, India’s National Investigation Agency, and the United States Department of State.
- What
- VanDyke’s family is seeking US diplomatic intervention over his alleged solitary confinement and treatment during detention, while an investigation proceeds under India’s Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
- When
- VanDyke has been detained since March 2026 and held at Tihar Jail since April 2026.
- Where
- Tihar Jail 8/9 in Delhi, India.
- Why
- His family alleges that he has been denied basic detainee rights, while Indian authorities say the case concerns alleged military and drone training for armed groups near the India-Myanmar border.
VanDyke’s Family and Defense
Indian Authorities
Prison conditions
VanDyke’s Family and Defense
The family alleges VanDyke is in solitary confinement and lacks adequate food, medical care, family communication, and consular access.
Indian Authorities
A Delhi court ordered Tihar authorities to provide specific dietary and living-support measures, but the article does not report an official response to the family’s broader allegations.
Alleged activities
VanDyke’s Family and Defense
VanDyke’s family and legal team reject allegations that he provided training to armed groups.
Indian Authorities
The National Investigation Agency alleges that VanDyke provided tactical military and drone training to armed groups operating near the India-Myanmar border.
Diplomatic involvement
VanDyke’s Family and Defense
The family is urging the United States Department of State to intervene and bring VanDyke home.
Indian Authorities
Indian authorities are continuing the investigation, and a special Delhi court has allowed NIA investigators to question VanDyke in jail.
- Detainee
- Matthew VanDyke, 47
- Jail
- Tihar Jail 8/9, Delhi
- Detention timeline
- Arrested in March 2026; lodged in Tihar Jail since April 2026
- Charges
- Section 18 of India’s Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act
- Reported weight loss
- About 14 kilograms, or 30 pounds
- Court-ordered measures
- Specialised vegetarian diet, supervised access to a cook, an electric kettle, and mosquito protection
- Investigation agency
- National Investigation Agency