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Matthew VanDyke Granted Bail as Myanmar Drone Probe Continues
An American man named Matthew VanDyke was given bail by a court in Delhi.
He is accused of entering India and Myanmar without proper permission.
Investigators also say he may have helped train armed groups in Myanmar to use drones.
VanDyke was arrested with six Ukrainian nationals in March.
The newest chargesheet lists immigration-related offences, but it does not currently include terrorism-law charges under the UAPA.
The National Investigation Agency says it is still investigating the possible UAPA offences.
It could file another chargesheet if it finds more evidence.
The bail decision does not mean the wider investigation has ended.
A Delhi Special NIA court granted American national Matthew Aaron VanDyke bail in a case involving alleged illegal entry and drone training.
The NIA’s latest chargesheet against VanDyke and six Ukrainian nationals invoked the Immigration and Foreigners Act, not the UAPA.
The NIA said its investigation into possible UAPA offences against all seven accused remains ongoing.
VanDyke was arrested in March after allegations that the group travelled to Mizoram without permits and crossed into Myanmar.
The court proceedings involved VanDyke’s 180-day custody period, which was due to expire on September 8.
- Who
- American national Matthew Aaron VanDyke and six Ukrainian nationals are accused; the National Investigation Agency is investigating the case.
- What
- VanDyke was granted bail in a case involving alleged illegal entry and alleged drone-related training of Myanmar-based ethnic armed groups.
- Where
- The case is being heard by a Special National Investigation Agency court at Rouse Avenue in Delhi and concerns alleged travel through Mizoram and into Myanmar.
- When
- The group was arrested in March, and VanDyke’s 180-day custody period was due to expire on September 8; the bail was granted before that deadline.
- Why
- The latest chargesheet establishes alleged offences under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, while the NIA continues investigating possible offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
Defense Position
NIA Position
Basis for Bail
Defense Position
VanDyke’s legal team argued that default bail was warranted because the statutory investigation period had expired without UAPA provisions being included in the chargesheet.
NIA Position
The NIA said it filed the chargesheet under the Immigration and Foreigners Act after establishing those offences, rather than allowing the applicable custody period to expire.
Status of UAPA Investigation
Defense Position
The defense relied on the fact that the current chargesheet did not invoke UAPA provisions.
NIA Position
The NIA maintained that the omission does not mean the wider UAPA investigation has been dropped and said further investigation and a supplementary chargesheet remain possible.
Nature of Allegations
Defense Position
VanDyke is contesting the case through the bail proceedings; the articles do not state that he admitted the allegations.
NIA Position
The NIA alleges that the group entered India and Myanmar improperly and provided or facilitated drone-related training for Myanmar-based ethnic armed groups.
Key facts
- Accused
- Matthew Aaron VanDyke and six Ukrainian nationals
- Current charges
- Sections 21 and 23 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act
- UAPA status
- The NIA says its investigation into possible UAPA offences is continuing
- Arrest
- The accused were arrested in March
- Alleged route
- The NIA says the group travelled to Mizoram and crossed into Myanmar without required permits
- Custody deadline
- VanDyke’s 180-day judicial custody period was due to expire on September 8
- Possible next step
- The NIA may file a supplementary chargesheet if further investigation establishes additional offences
Sources
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