Was repeatedly assaulted in Tihar, denied treatment: US national Matthew VanDyke

VanDyke reportedly sent the affidavit to the American embassy.

NEW DELHI: US national Matthew VanDyke, accused in a Myanmar terror module case, alleged in a handwritten affidavit submitted in Aug, two weeks before a chargesheet against him was filed, that he was repeatedly assaulted during his nearly six-month stay in Tihar jail.He said he was punched in the chest and denied medical treatment for nearly 24 hours when he needed immediate attention.VanDyke reportedly sent the affidavit to the American embassy.The affidavit has now surfaced as VanDyke’s post on X Monday. “India threw me and several Ukrainians into prison for over six months. This was part of Russia's war against Ukraine,” he wrote. “I will reveal shocking details about this story over the next few months, in both posts and media interviews,” he added.In the affidavit, VanDyke urged US embassy officials to “make it very clear to any Indian officials” that if he got “angry” with the contents of the chargesheet the NIA was preparing to file, he would approach the media and courts with details of his alleged custodial torture.He also sent a distress alarm to his family, describing what he called a “series of attacks” inside Tihar. He alleged that he was beaten with a police baton on his chest and arms. When contacted by TOI, Tihar authorities declined to comment.

The NIA arrested VanDyke and six Ukrainians -- Kaminskyi Viktor, Hurba Petro, Slyviak Taras, Ivan Sukmanovskyi, Stefankiv Marian and Honcharuk Maksim -- in March at various airports after they allegedly travelled to Mizoram without required permits and crossed into Myanmar. The agency suspected their links with armed groups operating in Myanmar, several of which maintain bases in Northeast India.Although the case was registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in April, the NIA's chargesheet invoked only Sections 21 and 23 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.

The agency told the court that its investigation into the UAPA angle was on and a supplementary chargesheet could be filed if an offence was made out.VanDyke was subsequently granted default bail this year after the court found the chargesheet incomplete while the UAPA investigation remained pending.

He came to India in Oct to appear before a court in Delhi. He is allowed to stay in the US till Feb 24, 2027. The US embassy has not spoken on the matter.