1 day ago
Delhi Court Lets Seven Foreign Nationals Leave India Temporarily
A Delhi court allowed seven foreign nationals to leave India for one month.
The group includes an American, Matthew Aaron VanDyke, and six Ukrainians.
They had been arrested in a case involving alleged plans connected to terrorism.
The NIA’s first chargesheet discussed only immigration violations, not the more serious UAPA allegations.
Because of this, the court granted them default bail.
The six Ukrainians and VanDyke also paid compounding charges related to the immigration case.
The NIA says it is still investigating drones, digital material and the group’s alleged trip to Myanmar.
The travelers must give the agency their overseas addresses and contact details.
They may be asked to cooperate with the investigation while abroad.
A Delhi court allowed US national Matthew Aaron VanDyke and six Ukrainians to travel home for up to 30 days.
The seven were arrested on March 13, 2026, under Section 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The National Investigation Agency’s first chargesheet cited only immigration violations, not UAPA offences.
The court granted default bail, saying the NIA could not avoid it by filing a piecemeal chargesheet.
The NIA says its investigation into alleged drone deliveries, Myanmar travel and terrorist conspiracy remains ongoing.
- Who
- Matthew Aaron VanDyke and six Ukrainian nationals, investigated by the National Investigation Agency.
- What
- A Delhi court allowed the seven foreign nationals to travel to the United States and Ukraine for up to one month after granting default bail.
- Where
- The case is before the Rouse Avenue Court in New Delhi; the NIA alleges the group travelled from India through Mizoram into Myanmar.
- When
- The travel order was issued on September 24; the arrests took place on March 13, 2026, and the 180-day investigation period ended on September 8, 2026.
- Why
- The court found that the NIA’s initial chargesheet covered only immigration offences while the UAPA investigation remained incomplete.
Court and Accused
National Investigation Agency
Default bail
Court and Accused
The court held that the accused could not be denied default bail because the NIA filed a chargesheet covering only immigration offences while continuing its UAPA investigation.
National Investigation Agency
The NIA said a substantial part of the UAPA investigation was complete but that more time was needed to verify the full facts and potentially file a supplementary chargesheet.
Nature of the case
Court and Accused
The accused were discharged from the immigration allegations after the relevant offences were compounded and charges were paid.
National Investigation Agency
The NIA alleges the conduct was part of a broader conspiracy involving drones, Myanmar-based ethnic armed groups and Indian insurgent groups.
Travel during investigation
Court and Accused
The court said the right to travel abroad must be considered and found that the accused were willing to cooperate when asked.
National Investigation Agency
The NIA requested overseas addresses, working phone numbers, email details and other undertakings so investigators could contact the accused.
Key facts
- People allowed to travel
- Matthew Aaron VanDyke and six Ukrainian nationals.
- Travel period
- Up to 30 days to return to the United States and Ukraine and meet their families.
- Arrest date
- March 13, 2026.
- Initial chargesheet
- The NIA invoked Sections 21 and 23 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, but not UAPA provisions.
- Immigration case
- The six Ukrainians and VanDyke were discharged from the immigration allegations after compounding charges were paid to the FRRO.
- Alleged conduct
- The NIA alleges illegal travel into Myanmar and planned training involving drone warfare, assembly, operations and jamming technology.
- Investigation status
- The NIA says its UAPA investigation is continuing and that a supplementary chargesheet may be filed.
Quotes
Special Judge Prashant Sharma
Delhi court judge who granted default bail to VanDyke
“The chargesheet filed by the NIA is piecemeal as it pertains to section 21 and 23 of Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, only. In the wake of further investigation being carried out by the NIA with respect of offences under UAPA, at this stage it cannot be concluded that accused is not entitled to default bail.”
republicworld.com
“Applicant and co-accused persons have shown their willingness to join the investigation, as and when asked by NIA…Therefore, viewed from all possible legal and factual angles, I find merits in present application”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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