# NIA court allows US mercenary VanDyke to travel home for a month

2026-09-25T08:48:14+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 3 independent outlets

A Delhi special NIA court has allowed US national Matthew Aaron VanDyke and six Ukrainian nationals to travel to their home countries for one month, subject to conditions. The court granted them default bail earlier this month and ordered the release of their passports, noting their willingness to cooperate with the ongoing NIA investigation into an alleged drone warfare training camp for Myanmar-based ethnic armed groups. The NIA's probe under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) continues. The court said the right to travel abroad is an extension of fundamental rights under Article 21, and the agency did not require the accused's immediate physical presence. The seven must return to India after one month and join the investigation by video conference or in person if required. The Congress party attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the release, with leader Jairam Ramesh alleging US pressure determined the outcome and questioning what India got in return. The NIA filed its chargesheet on September 8 without invoking UAPA provisions, stating the anti-terror probe is pending.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

The Times of India and Rediff.com gave straight reports on the court order, focusing on bail conditions and the fundamental right to travel. India Today led with the Congress attack, highlighting the dropping of UAPA charges and alleged US pressure. The critical framing emphasises political controversy, while the neutral reports show the court acted within legal procedure. The key difference is the dropped UAPA charges: neutral reports present this as an ongoing investigation, while India Today frames it as a concession. The NIA's final supplementary chargesheet will determine whether the case had substance under UAPA.

## Coverage

- timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report) <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/us-mercenary-held-at-myanmar-camp-released-from-tihar-jail-after-nia-courts-bail/articleshow/134476727.cms>
  Reports court order and conditions factually, no commentary
- indiatoday.in (government critical) <https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/us-mercenary-matthew-vandyke-case-congress-attacks-government-over-us-pressure-after-court-allows-travel-home-3002659-2026-09-25?utm_source=rss>
  Leads with Congress attacks, highlights dropped UAPA charges and alleged US pressure
- rediff.com (neutral report) <https://www.rediff.com/news/report/court-allows-7-foreign-nationals-in-drone-warfare-case-to-go-home-for-a-month/20260925.htm>
  Straight reporting of court order, cites fundamental rights, no political slant

Tags: Aaron VanDyke, Congress, Jairam Ramesh, Myanmar, NIA, Tihar Jail
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