US National Mathew Aaron VanDyke Granted Default Bail in Arms Training Case
· India · Hindustan Times, Zee News
A Delhi court has granted default bail to American national Mathew Aaron VanDyke, who was arrested by the National Investigation Agency in March on allegations of training armed groups in Myanmar. The court ruled that the NIA's chargesheet was incomplete because it only cited immigration offences under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, while the primary investigation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act remains ongoing. Special judge Prashant Sharma stated that the agency cannot circumvent the right to default bail by filing piecemeal charges. Six Ukrainian nationals arrested alongside VanDyke at Delhi and Lucknow airports were also granted similar relief. The court has imposed conditions on the accused, including a prohibition on leaving the city without judicial permission.
Why it matters
The ruling reinforces the legal requirement for investigative agencies to file comprehensive chargesheets within statutory timeframes to prevent indefinite detention. It sets a precedent for the seven accused, who remain under investigation for alleged terror-related conspiracy.
Read the original report — Hindustan Times
Join us on Telegram
Breaking news the moment it lands. At 10,000 members we ship the Android app.