A Delhi court is set to hear on July 21 a plea filed by US citizen Matthew Aaron VanDyke, an accused in a National Investigation Agency (NIA) case linked to an alleged terror conspiracy involving ethnic armed groups in Myanmar, seeking permission to receive an “American-style diet” while lodged in Tihar Jail.
According to his lawyers quoted by Hindustan Times, VanDyke has been on a hunger strike for nearly 50 days as he has been unable to eat the prison meals, describing them as “spicy, oily and deep-fried”.
During the latest hearing, the NIA informed the court that it would not file a reply to the application. Tihar Jail authorities, however, sought additional time to respond. Special Judge Prashant Sharma, who hears NIA cases at Delhi’s Patiala House Courts, has scheduled the matter for further hearing on July 21.
#WATCH | Myanmar Training module case | Delhi: 5 Ukranians and one US National brought to Patiala House Court in NIA case.
— ANI (@ANI) July 3, 2026
They were produced after expiry of judicial custody. They have been arrested in a case linked with giving training to Ethnic War group in Myanmar. pic.twitter.com/3PfJMaznSU
Plea cites health concerns
The application, filed by advocates Rohit Dandriyal and Rohit Gour, also requests a continuous supply of soy milk, stating that VanDyke has largely survived on liquids during the hunger strike.
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According to the plea cited by HT, the 45-year-old has been unable “to tolerate the spicy, oily and deep-fried food ordinarily served in prison”, making it difficult for him to consume regular jail meals.
The application further claims the prolonged hunger strike has significantly affected his health. It says he appeared visibly weak during a recent court appearance, struggled to stand and had difficulty addressing the court. The plea also states that prolonged nutritional deficiency has affected his eyesight.
His legal team told the court that VanDyke’s family was prepared to bear the cost of any special dietary arrangement and described the request as being made solely on “humanitarian grounds”.
What has Matthew Aaron VanDyke requested?
Apart from soy milk, the application seeks permission for food items such as pasta, chicken, fish and olive oil, stating that these are consistent with his usual diet.
He has also requested permission to prepare his own meals using basic cooking equipment inside the prison.
Earlier this month, when his judicial custody was extended until August 1, VanDyke was produced before the court in a wheelchair. Reports at the time said he was surviving mainly on liquids, including juice and soy milk.
The NIA case against him
VanDyke was arrested by the NIA at Delhi airport on March 13. On the same day, six Ukrainian nationals were also detained at airports in Delhi, Kolkata and Lucknow.
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The agency alleges the accused entered India on tourist visas before travelling to Mizoram and then crossing into Myanmar without the required permits. According to the NIA, they trained Myanmar-based ethnic armed groups in drone warfare, drone operations, assembly and jamming technology as part of a wider conspiracy affecting India’s national security.
The investigation has been registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The NIA has described the probe as involving a “deep-rooted criminal conspiracy” with pan-India and transnational links and has secured additional time to continue its investigation, including analysis of electronic devices, financial transactions and forensic examination of voice samples.
FAQs:
Why is Matthew Aaron VanDyke seeking a special diet?
He claims he cannot tolerate the spicy and oily prison food and has been on a hunger strike.
When will the court hear Matthew Aaron VanDyke’s plea?
The Delhi court has listed the matter for hearing on July 21.