Tihar to respond to terror-accused U.S. national’s plea for ‘American-style diet’

The Tihar prison authorities submitted before a Delhi court on Wednesday (July 8, 2026) that they will file a response to a plea by U.S. national Matthew Aaron Van Dyke, an accused in a terror conspiracy case being investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), seeking permission to receive “American-style diet” while in judicial custody.

Special Judge Prashant Sharma of Patiala House Court posted the matter for July 21, before which the prison authorities are expected to respond.

In his plea filed through advocates Rohit Dandriyal and Rohit Gour, Mr. Dyke submitted before the court that he had been on an apparent hunger strike for nearly 50 days and had survived largely on liquids, including soy milk, because of his inability to eat the food available in prison.

“He has lost 13 kg weight in the duration of his hunger strike,” advocate Dandriyal told The Hindu.

It has been claimed that the U.S. national has been unable to consume regular prison food because he cannot tolerate the spicy, oily and deep-fried meals typically served in jail.

In his petition, it has been contended that the prolonged nutritional deficiency has adversely affected the accused’s health, including a decline in his eyesight, which is attributed to the lack of an adequate and suitable nutritional diet during his continued incarceration.

Humanitarian grounds

Emphasising that the request is made purely on humanitarian considerations and is intended solely to safeguard the health of their client while in judicial custody, the counsel has submitted that Mr. Dyke’s family is willing to bear the entire cost of the proposed dietary arrangement and all related expenses.

Mr. Dyke was arrested by the NIA on March 13, along with six Ukrainian nationals. According to the central agency, the accused entered India on tourist visas and travelled to the Northeast without securing mandatory permits. Investigators allege that they moved from Mizoram into Myanmar unlawfully and were involved in training Ethnic Armed Organisations.

The NIA has invoked provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), including those pertaining to conspiracy, as the agency continues its probe into suspected cross-border networks.