Delhi Court Allows US and Ukrainian Nationals to Travel Home

A special NIA court in Delhi granted Matthew Aaron van Dyke, a U.S. national, and six Ukrainian citizens permission to travel to their home countries for 30 days to visit family. The group was arrested in March 2026 at airports in Delhi, Kolkata, and Lucknow after allegedly entering Myanmar via Mizoram without required permits. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) initially alleged the group provided drone-warfare, assembly, and jamming training to ethnic armed organizations in Myanmar, including the Kachin Independence Army and the Chin National Front.

While the NIA dropped Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) provisions in a September 8 chargesheet, charging the group instead under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, recent reports indicate the UAPA probe remains open. The accused were discharged of immigration offenses after paying fines of 5.5 lakh rupees each. Judge Prashant Sharma granted the travel request, ruling that the right to travel abroad is an extension of a fundamental right under the Indian Constitution.

The decision has sparked political controversy. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh alleged that diplomatic pressure from the United States influenced the court's decision and questioned how the individuals obtained visas to travel through India. The foreign nationals must notify the court within 72 hours of their return and remain available for investigation via video conference or in person.