Archive · 9 Sep 2026
NIA Chargesheets Seven Foreigners, Does Not Invoke UAPA
India’s National Investigation Agency filed a legal chargesheet against seven foreign nationals.
The group includes one American, Matthew Aaron Van Dyke, and six Ukrainians.
They were arrested on March 13.
Investigators said they may have been connected to armed groups in Myanmar.
The agency also alleged that they supplied equipment or training, including drone training.
The accused face immigration-related charges about entering, staying in or moving through India.
The agency did not use India’s anti-terror law, called UAPA, in the chargesheet.
A prosecutor said investigators could bring additional charges later if more evidence is found.
The NIA filed a chargesheet against US citizen Matthew Aaron Van Dyke and six Ukrainian nationals.
The seven face allegations of illegal entry, stay and movement under sections 21 and 23 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act.
Investigators alleged links to ethnic armed groups in Myanmar and possible weapons, equipment and drone training support.
The group was arrested on March 13 after being intercepted at airports in Delhi, Kolkata and Lucknow.
Although UAPA provisions were part of the initial case, the anti-terror law was not invoked in the chargesheet; further investigation may continue.
- Who
- The National Investigation Agency charged Matthew Aaron Van Dyke, a US citizen, and six Ukrainian nationals: Kaminskyi Viktor, Hurba Petro, Slyviak Taras, Ivan Sukmanovskyi, Stefankiv Marian and Honcharuk Maksim.
- What
- A chargesheet was filed alleging illegal entry, stay and movement under sections 21 and 23 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act.
- When
- The seven were arrested on March 13; the chargesheet was filed on Tuesday, September 8, according to the reports.
- Where
- The reports refer to Mizoram, Myanmar and airports in Delhi, Kolkata and Lucknow. They differ on the precise route, with one account saying the group entered India from Myanmar through Mizoram and another saying they entered India on valid visas before travelling to Mizoram.
- Why
- The NIA was investigating alleged links with ethnic armed groups in India and Myanmar, including suspected weapons, military-equipment and drone-training assistance.
Agency Allegations
Chargesheet Position
Alleged activities
Agency Allegations
The NIA alleged that the group operated as mercenaries and assisted ethnic armed groups in India and Myanmar through weapons, military equipment or drone training.
Chargesheet Position
The filed chargesheet formally accuses the seven of immigration-related offences; the reports do not state that the accused accepted the agency’s allegations.
Anti-terror charges
Agency Allegations
The initial case was registered under UAPA provisions, and the agency continued investigating possible links to a wider terror conspiracy.
Chargesheet Position
UAPA was not invoked in the chargesheet. The prosecutor said further investigation could establish UAPA offences and lead to a supplementary chargesheet.
Travel into India
Agency Allegations
One account says the group allegedly entered India from Myanmar through the Mizoram border, while another says they entered on valid visas and later travelled to Mizoram without a required restricted-area permit.
Chargesheet Position
The reports provide differing accounts of the group’s route, but agree that the accused were later intercepted while reportedly trying to leave India.
- Accused
- Seven foreign nationals: one US citizen and six Ukrainian citizens
- Lead accused
- Matthew Aaron Van Dyke
- Investigating agency
- National Investigation Agency (NIA)
- Filed charges
- Sections 21 and 23 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act
- Initial case
- The case initially included provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
- UAPA status
- UAPA was not invoked in the chargesheet; the prosecutor said a supplementary chargesheet could follow
- Custody
- A court granted 11 days of NIA custody on March 16, after which the accused were remanded to judicial custody
