Tihar to respond to terror accused Americans' plea for 'American-style diet'

Matthew Aaron Van Dyke. File. | Photo credit: Getty images

The Tihar Jail authorities on Wednesday (July 8, 2026) filed a reply before a Delhi court on the plea of US national Matthew Aaron Van Dyke, accused in a terror conspiracy case being investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), seeking permission to receive “American diet” in judicial custody.

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

In his plea, filed through lawyers Rohit Dandriyal and Rohit Gour, Mr Dyke told the court that he had been on an apparent hunger strike for almost 50 days and survived largely on liquids, including soya milk, as he could not eat the food available in prison.

“During his hunger strike, he lost 13 kg,” advocate Dandriyal told The Hindu.

It was claimed that the US national was unable to consume regular prison food because he cannot tolerate the spicy, greasy and fried foods usually served in prison.

In his motion, it was argued that the prolonged lack of nutrition had adversely affected the health of the accused, including the deterioration of his eyesight, which was attributed to the lack of an adequate and suitable nutritional diet during his further incarceration.

Humanitarian reasons

Stressing that the request is made purely on humanitarian grounds and is solely to protect their client’s health while in custody, counsel said Mr Dyke’s family is willing to bear the full cost of the proposed dietary arrangements and all related expenses.

Mr Dyke was arrested by the NIA on March 13 along with six Ukrainian nationals. The accused, according to the central agency, entered India on tourist visas and traveled to the northeast without securing the required permits. Investigators say they illegally moved from Mizoram to Myanmar and were involved in training ethnic armed organizations.

The NIA invoked the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), including those related to conspiracy, as the agency continues to investigate suspected cross-border networks.

Published – 8 Jul 2026 22:52 IST