New Delhi: A Delhi court on Friday extended permission for US national  Matthew Aaron VanDyke and six Ukrainian nationals to remain outside India until February 24 next year in connection with the Myanmar arms training case investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). They were arrested by the NIA in March over allegations that they trained ethnic armed groups in Myanmar.

Special Judge Prashant Sharma issued the order during in-camera proceedings while considering applications filed by the seven foreign nationals.
 

The ruling followed a submission by NIA counsel Rahul Tyagi, who informed the court that the agency required additional time to probe several aspects of the case.

The court granted VanDyke liberty to return to the United States after he attended the hearing in person on Friday. The remaining six accused participated in the proceedings via video conference, citing health issues.

Speaking to reporters outside the courtroom, VanDyke questioned the continuation of the proceedings.

“There's no reason for it to continue. If not, I'll stay in India. Until this is over,” he said.

VanDyke, who was granted default bail last month, had traveled back to India to appear before the court and request an extension of his permission to remain abroad. In September, the court had permitted him to visit his family in the US for one month on the condition that he return to India for the scheduled court appearance.

The US national also disclosed that he was now representing himself due to financial constraints.

“I don't have any comments on the case. It's all ongoing. Especially now that I'm my own lawyer. I don't want to talk about it. There is a money issue. That's the main issue,” he said.

VanDyke further stated that he had not received any assistance from the US Embassy regarding the case.

According to the NIA, VanDyke and the six Ukrainian nationals arrived in India on tourist visas, traveled to the northeastern region without the necessary permits and subsequently crossed from Mizoram into Myanmar to train ethnic armed organisations.

While the agency initially invoked provisions under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), including conspiracy charges, its formal charge sheet instead proceeded under Sections 21 and 23 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act. These offenses can be compounded before the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO).

The NIA previously noted that its investigation into alleged terror-related links remains ongoing, with the possibility of additional charges being included in a supplementary charge sheet.

 

PTI