Delhi Court Orders Special Care for US National in Myanmar Terror Case

A Struggle Over Prison Food and Basic Comforts

A special court in New Delhi stepped in to address the worsening health of American national Matthew Aaron VanDyke, who is locked up in Tihar Jail over a high-profile Myanmar terror training case. The judge looked at an application from VanDyke's lawyers and ordered prison authorities to make urgent adjustments to his daily routine, pointing out that everyone behind bars still deserves basic health care and human dignity.

Why the American Prisoner Stopped Eating

VanDyke's lawyers explained that his health had taken a nosedive ever since he was locked up. He simply couldn't stomach the standard prison food, finding it way too spicy, oily, and heavy for his system. That sudden shift in diet took a massive toll on his body, leading to severe weight loss, fading eyesight, a crashing immune system, and a desperate hunger strike as he struggled to find anything edible. His legal team argued that letting a prisoner's health completely collapse over dietary differences violates basic constitutional protections.

The Court Steps In With Custom Kitchen Orders

Hearing the medical concerns, the judge ordered jail officials to give VanDyke some essential comforts, like mosquito protection and a basic electric kettle. More importantly, the court ruled that a designated prison cook should prepare customized vegetarian meals tailored to his preferences, making sure the food is safe and digestible for him under medical supervision. It's a rare glimpse of the judiciary stepping in to balance strict security with simple, human compassion for an inmate far away from home.