US national Matthew VanDyke had warned the American Embassy in India that he would publicly expose alleged physical assaults inside Delhi's Tihar Jail if he was dissatisfied with the chargesheet being prepared by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The development has brought fresh attention to his nearly six-month detention in India and the allegations surrounding his treatment in prison.
According to a handwritten affidavit submitted to the US Embassy in the last week of August, VanDyke claimed that he had been repeatedly assaulted by prison personnel. He alleged that he was punched in the chest and arm, leaving visible marks on his body. He also claimed that he had been threatened with a beating using a police baton.
In the affidavit, VanDyke reportedly asked American officials to communicate his concerns directly to Indian authorities. He warned that he would approach the media and courts, including criminal and civil courts, if he found the NIA chargesheet unacceptable.
Allegations of delayed medical treatment
VanDyke further alleged that prison authorities denied him timely medical assistance following one of the incidents. According to his account, he requested medical attention approximately an hour after the alleged assault and repeated the request the following morning.
However, he claimed that a doctor attended to him only around 6 pm the next day, nearly 24 hours after the incident. He accused prison authorities of attempting to conceal the alleged assault.
He also claimed to have written to the prison superintendent about the incidents and reportedly shared a copy of his complaint with the US Embassy.
The American Embassy declined to comment on the specific communication, citing its policy of not discussing private diplomatic exchanges. Tihar Jail authorities and the NIA had not provided a response to the allegations at the time of the report.
Why was VanDyke arrested?
The NIA arrested VanDyke at Kolkata airport on March 13, along with six Ukrainian nationals, over allegations that they travelled through India to Myanmar to provide drone warfare training to ethnic armed groups.
Investigators alleged that the group entered protected areas in Mizoram without the necessary permits before crossing into Myanmar. The agency also examined allegations involving drone operations, assembly and jamming technology, and possible links with insurgent organisations.
The NIA initially registered the case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). However, its chargesheet filed on September 8 invoked Sections 21 and 23 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, without including UAPA charges. The agency maintained that further investigation into possible terror-related offences was continuing.
VanDyke promises further revelations
VanDyke subsequently secured default bail and was released from Tihar Jail in September. He has recently promised to reveal further details about his arrest, imprisonment and the Myanmar mission through social media posts and interviews.
He has also alleged that his arrest was connected to Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine. These claims remain unverified.
His next court appearance is scheduled for February 24, 2027.
The allegations of custodial assault have not been independently established, and the matter remains separate from the NIA's ongoing investigation.
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