Myanmar arms training case: Delhi Court allows Matthew VanDyke, 6 Ukrainians to stay abroad till Feb 24

New Delhi: The Delhi court has granted permission to US national Matthew Aaron VanDyke and six Ukrainian nationals to remain outside India till February 24 next year in the Myanmar arms training case. The case is being probed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA)

The order was issued by Special Judge Prashant Sharma while hearing the case. The appeal was filed by seven accused. The proceedings were held in the virtual mode. The court’s order came after the NIA submitted an application that it would need more time to probe several aspects in the case, news agency PTI reported.

VanDyke earlier got permission to return to the US

During the hearing, the court gave permission to VanDyke to return to the US. He appeared in person in the court on Friday. He questioned the continuance of the case against him. “There’s no reason for it to continue. If not, I’ll stay in India. Until this is over,” he said. He was granted default bail last month. He had earlier sought an extension of the permission granted to him to visit abroad. He was granted permission to travel to the US in September.

“I don’t have any comments on the case. It’s all ongoing. Especially now that I’m my own lawyer. I don’t want to talk about it. There is a money issue. That’s the main issue,” he said. He denied getting any help from the US embassy in the case.

What is the case?

The NIA had earlier alleged that VanDyke and the six Ukrainian nationals entered on tourist visas. After reaching India, they travelled to the northeast region without any mandatory permits. They also crossed from Mizoram to Myanmar and allegedly trained ethnic armed organisations. The agency had initially invoked provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, including those relating to conspiracy.