# NIA Files Chargesheet Against US Citizen Matthew Aaron Van Dyke and 6 Ukrainians Under Immigration Act as UAPA Terror Probe Continues > The National Investigation Agency has submitted a chargesheet under immigration laws against American national Matthew Aaron Van Dyke and six Ukrainians, while clarifying that UAPA terror conspiracy investigations against them remain active. **Type:** article · **Category:** India · **Published:** 2026-09-09 · **Source:** TrendKia **Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/national/ameriki-nagarika-matthew-aaron-van-dyke-aura-6-yukreni-nagarikon-para-avrajana-kanuna-ke-tahata-charge-sheet-uapa-men-jancha-jari-30248 · **Language:** English **Tags:** NIA, Matthew Aaron Van Dyke, UAPA, Mizoram, Myanmar Border, Immigration Act, Terror Probe The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has submitted a chargesheet in a special court against an American citizen and six Ukrainian nationals accused of unlawfully entering India and engaging in suspicious activities. The agency filed the chargesheet under provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act (IFA). NIA officials made it clear that while the initial chargesheet focuses on established immigration and foreign nationals violations, the broader investigation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) regarding alleged counter-terrorism offenses remains active and ongoing against all seven accused. ## Immigration Chargesheet Details and Status of the UAPA Probe The agency submitted its formal charge sheet on September 8 before Special Judge Prashant Sharma. The charges filed against the seven individuals invoke Sections 21 and 23 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act. The legal period of 180 days for judicial custody was culminating on September 8, 2026. Consequently, the NIA prioritized submitting the chargesheet for the specific offenses where evidentiary gathering and investigation had reached completion within the mandated timeframe. Official reports clarify that filing a chargesheet under immigration statutes does not signal the closure or termination of the UAPA case. Legal procedures permit the NIA to present supplementary chargesheets before the court if fresh evidence, documentation, or testimonies materialize during the continuing investigation under terror prevention laws. ## Infiltration via Myanmar Border and Mercenary Allegations The individuals named in the chargesheet include US national Matthew Aaron Van Dyke and six Ukrainian citizens, identified as Kaminskyi Viktor, Herba Petro, Sliviak Taras, Ivan Sukmanovskyi, Stefankiv Marian, and Honcharuk Maksym. All seven foreign nationals were taken into custody by the agency on March 13. Investigators established that the group allegedly crossed into Indian territory illegally through the Mizoram border coming from Myanmar, after which they were intercepted at various domestic airports across the country. Investigators suspect that the group functioned as mercenaries operating in the region. The agency previously informed the court that the suspects were being interrogated regarding a wider conspiracy involving assistance to ethnic armed groups operating across India and Myanmar. Specifically, the group is accused of imparting specialized drone operational training to these armed insurgent factions. Based on these allegations, initial cases were registered incorporating sections of the UAPA alongside the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). ## Custodial Timeline and Consular Intervention Context Following their arrest in March, the suspects were produced before the court on March 16, which granted the NIA an 11-day period of agency custody for interrogation. Upon completion of police remand, the court committed the accused persons to judicial custody, where they have remained during the investigation process. Addressing queries regarding diplomatic communications from US officials concerning Matthew Aaron Van Dyke, sources indicated that such inquiries conform to standard international protocol. Whenever a foreign citizen is detained abroad, the respective embassy typically initiates contact with local authorities to seek consular access, ensure proper legal representation, and verify fair treatment in accordance with international standards. ## What this means for you This development highlights heightened national security and strict enforcement against illegal cross-border movements. - **Across India:** Domestic airports and security checkpoints across the country have increased scrutiny of travel documents for foreign nationals. Security agencies are bolstering verification protocols to intercept illegal entries and unauthorized internal movement. - **In Mizoram and Border Regions:** Vigilance and patrolling along the border with Myanmar have been intensified by border guarding forces. Local residents in frontier districts are encouraged to report any suspicious individuals or unauthorized border crossings to authorities immediately. ## Why this happened This legal step follows allegations of illegal entry into Indian territory and aiding armed insurgent groups in border zones. - **Illegal Infiltration Charges:** The seven foreign nationals allegedly crossed into India through the Mizoram border from Myanmar without proper authorization. Their illegal entry necessitated immediate charges under the Immigration and Foreigners Act. - **Allegations of Tactical Assistance:** Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were allegedly training ethnic armed groups in operating drones, prompting swift intervention by national counter-terrorism agencies. - **Adherence to Custodial Deadlines:** Because the statutory 180-day judicial custody deadline was reaching expiry, the NIA filed charges for the completed immigration investigations while keeping the complex UAPA terror probe open for further evidence. ## Questions & Answers ### 1. Under which laws has the NIA filed the chargesheet? The NIA filed the chargesheet under Sections 21 and 23 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act. ### 2. Has the UAPA terrorism case been closed against the accused? No, the UAPA terror conspiracy investigation remains active, and a supplementary chargesheet may be filed if further evidence emerges. ### 3. When and where were the suspects arrested? The suspects were arrested on March 13 after allegedly infiltrating into India from Myanmar through the Mizoram border. ### 4. Who are the individuals named in the chargesheet? The group comprises US national Matthew Aaron Van Dyke and six Ukrainian citizens (Kaminskyi Viktor, Herba Petro, Sliviak Taras, Ivan Sukmanovskyi, Stefankiv Marian, and Honcharuk Maksym). ### 5. What are the primary allegations against these foreign nationals? They are accused of illegal entry into India and providing tactical assistance and drone training to ethnic armed groups. --- _TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.. Machine-readable view; canonical HTML at the URL above._