Myanmar camp case: Van Dyke seeks US travel, cash bond and discharge from case

US national Matthew Aaron Van Dyke has sought court permission to travel to the US to meet his family after being granted default bail in the Myanmar training camp case.

Van Dyke, a US national, was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on March 13, 2026, in connection with a case involving alleged activities linked to a training camp in Myanmar. He was initially booked under Section 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The statutory period for completing the investigation expired on September 8. On that date, the NIA filed a chargesheet invoking Sections 21 and 23 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025. The agency informed the court that its investigation into the alleged UAPA offences was continuing.

Why was Van Dyke granted default bail?

Van Dyke subsequently sought default bail, arguing that the investigation concerning the UAPA offences had not been completed within the statutory period.

Special NIA Judge Prashant Sharma granted him default bail after noting that the 180-day period had expired without the NIA completing its investigation into the UAPA offences.

The court held that the investigating agency could not circumvent the statutory provisions governing default bail by filing an incomplete chargesheet to prevent the accused from claiming that right.

Van Dyke was granted bail on furnishing a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh and a surety bond of Rs 1 lakh, subject to the court's satisfaction.

Importantly, the order concerns his entitlement to default bail and does not amount to a finding that the allegations against him have been disproved.

What is the latest development?

Van Dyke has now moved an application seeking permission to travel to the US to meet his family.

He has also sought permission to furnish a cash bond instead of a surety bond.

A report from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) has been received by the court in a sealed envelope. The offences relating to the Immigration and Foreigners Act have also been compounded following the payment of Rs 5.5 lakh before the FRRO, according to sources cited in the latest report.

Van Dyke's legal team is preparing a discharge application, which is expected to be placed before the Special NIA Court shortly.

The NIA's September 8 chargesheet invoked the Immigration and Foreigners Act rather than filing a completed chargesheet under the UAPA.

The agency has maintained that its investigation into the alleged UAPA offences is continuing.

This distinction is important because the court's default-bail ruling was based on the expiry of the statutory period without completion of the investigation into those offences.

The proposed discharge application will therefore be considered by the Special NIA Court based on the charges that remain before it, the prosecution's position and the material available on record.

What about the other accused?

Six Ukrainian nationals are also in custody in connection with the case.

The NIA's chargesheet and the subsequent court proceedings concerning Van Dyke form part of the wider investigation into the alleged Myanmar training camp activities.

The case now involves separate procedural developments: Van Dyke has obtained default bail, the Immigration and Foreigners Act offences have been compounded, and the NIA says its investigation into the alleged UAPA offences is continuing.

The court's earlier order focused on the statutory time limit for investigation and whether an incomplete chargesheet could prevent the accused from exercising the right to default bail.

The next significant step is likely to be the court's consideration of Van Dyke's proposed discharge plea, along with his requests concerning travel and the bail-security arrangement.

The outcome of those applications will depend on the court record, the prosecution's submissions and the legal status of the remaining proceedings.