The Delhi court has allowed Matthew Van Dyke, who was arrested in the weapons training case, to return to the United States again.
It is said that six Ukrainians conspired under the leadership of an American named Matthew Van Dyke to carry out terrorist activities in India.
In this case, in March last year, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Matthew in Kolkata, West Bengal, and Ukrainians in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, and in Delhi, on charges of providing drone warfare training to insurgents in the Myanmar border area of India. They had been in prison for the past six months after cases were registered against them under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
However, in the chargesheet filed by the National Investigation Agency in the NIA court in Delhi, all seven were charged only under the immigration and foreigners laws, and not under the UAPA. The investigation against them under the UAPA was still pending.
Following this, since the UAPA provisions were not included in the chargesheet, the Delhi court on Sept. 24 ordered bail for the seven, including Vandeik.
The court had allowed Vandeik to travel to the United States and the six Ukrainians to Ukraine to meet their families, subject to certain conditions.
The court had ordered that they must report to the court within 72 hours of returning to India after a month, and that the person accused by the National Investigation Agency must participate in the hearing either via video conference or by appearing in person.
In this situation, Special Judge Prashant Sharma of the Delhi court heard today (Oct. 23) the petitions filed by 7 people, including Matthew Van Dyke, in chambers.
In this case, Special Public Prosecutor Rahul Tyagi appeared on behalf of the NIA, along with lawyers Jatin Khatri and Amit Rohila. The six Ukrainians, citing health problems, appeared via video conference. At the same time, Vandeik, who had come from the United States, appeared in person.
Following the Ukrainians’ lawyer informing the court that their health had deteriorated, the judge ordered an extension of their permission to stay outside India and also allowed Vandeik to return to the United States.
The Delhi court has granted permission for Matthew Vandeik and the six Ukrainians to stay outside India until Feb. 24 next year.