Congress questions PM Modi as American national accused of terror acts flies home

American national Matthew Aaron VanDyke flew to Washington after a Delhi court permitted him and six Ukrainian citizens to leave Tihar jail for a one-month visit to their home countries. The National Investigation Agency had detained all seven earlier in the year following allegations that they traveled into Myanmar to provide training to ethnic armed groups. Initial filings by the agency cited the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, though these terror charges were not included in the primary chargesheet, while the anti-terror probe remained active. Congress leaders criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating the decision showed the administration surrendered to American pressure. Party general secretary Jairam Ramesh outlined the timeline on social media, pointing out that VanDyke was arrested on March thirteenth for alleged conspiracy in anti-India activities, and noted that US officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ambassador Sergio Gor had raised the case with Indian foreign ministry officials during visits. Ramesh also questioned how the suspects originally obtained visas and traveled through India toward Myanmar, demanding an explanation from the home ministry. Congress communications head Pawan Khera also joined the criticism, describing VanDyke as a mercenary who entered Mizoram without proper permits and trained foreign armed groups before returning to Indian soil. Khera contrasted the release with the deportation of Indian citizens from the United States in handcuffs and military aircraft. The seven foreign individuals secured default bail relating to immigration violations, enabling the court to permit their temporary departure to meet families under specific legal conditions, despite ongoing investigations into a broader plot involving drone warfare instruction and assistance to armed factions.