Matthew Aaron VanDyke, who was arrested along with six Ukrainian nationals, had complained that his prison food was “oily and spicy”.
In an unusual gesture of generosity by a Delhi court on Monday, a US mercenary detained for alleged anti-India activities has been allowed to receive his favorite food.
The court accepted the petition filed by American citizen Matthew Aaron VanDyke on humanitarian and medical grounds, which will allow him to receive the food he wants and use special cooking utensils inside Tihar Jail. The American mercenary was arrested by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA), along with six Ukrainian mercenaries, in March.
VanDyke’s lawyers argued that Article 21 of the Indian Constitution protects the dignity of an individual, including in the custody of a court. To preserve that dignity, he should be allowed to eat the food he was used to eating, they said.
They said that VanDyke’s health had deteriorated because he was unable to use “Sharp, fat, fried with fat” food given to prisoners in prison, noting that he had already lost 14 kilos.
VanDyke had requested a a long list of thingsincluding chicken, red meat, seafood, uncooked noodles, pasta, uncooked rice, potatoes, onions, beans, spices, vegetables, olive oil, toned milk, bread, butter, and bottled water. He had also asked for a stove, a pot, and a plastic chopper.
The court allowed VanDyke to receive the items he requested, except for the non-vegetable items. The jail authorities were directed to provide him with a cook to prepare his food according to his wishes.
Meals for pre-trial prisoners in Tihar jail follow a prescribed menu, and they do not have the right to demand food from outside or have meals prepared according to their personal preferences. The only exception is made if the prison doctor confirms that the prisoner needs a special diet due to a medical condition. In some cases, under a court order, they are allowed to receive home-cooked meals.
Prison authorities must also provide VanDyke with mosquito nets and an electric kettle.
American mercenaries and their Ukrainian comrades were to be arrested by traveling to the restricted border area located in the northeastern region of India. From there they allegedly crossed to the neighboring country of Myanmar without permits to train them in drones. The groups are also linked to armed insurgents in northeastern India.
VanDyke is the founder of Sons of Liberty International, which provides military training in conflict zones, the Times of India reported. He has been involved in conflict zones in the past, including fighting with Libyan rebels in 2011, it said.
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