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NIA Terror Case: US National, 6 Ukrainians Allowed To Travel Home For A Month
A special NIA court in Delhi allowed US national Matthew Aaron VanDyke and six Ukrainian nationals to travel to their home countries for one month to meet their families.
On 24 September 2026, a special NIA court in Delhi allowed US national Matthew Aaron VanDyke and six Ukrainian nationals to travel to their home countries for one month to meet their families.
VanDyke was allowed to travel to the United States, while the six Ukrainians were allowed to travel to Ukraine. The court also ordered the release of their passports.
Why Were They in India?
The seven foreign nationals were arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in March 2026 in a case involving alleged plans to train ethnic armed groups and carry out terrorist activities. ISH News had earlier released a detailed video about their arrest and the case.
What Happened to the Charges?
The seven were initially investigated under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, or UAPA, over allegations of a terror conspiracy. However, the NIA's first chargesheet, filed in September, included offences under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, and did not include UAPA offences. The NIA told the court that its investigation under the UAPA was still continuing.
The change in the charges allowed the accused to seek default bail because the investigation had not been completed within the legally allowed period for filing the relevant chargesheet. VanDyke was granted default bail on 18 September, while the six Ukrainians received default bail on 24 September.
Permission to Travel
After receiving bail, the seven asked the court for permission to leave India and meet their families.
The court allowed them to travel for one month. The one-month period will begin from the date they board their flights. They must return to India after one month and inform the court within 72 hours of their return.
They must also give the NIA their home addresses, working phone numbers and email addresses. If they do not have a working phone number, they can first provide a family member's number and then provide their own number within one week of reaching their home country.
The seven must also cooperate with the NIA investigation and join it through video call or in person whenever required. The NIA investigation is still continuing.