Interesting Request from American Inmate in Tihar Prison: I Will Cook My Own Food

Matthew Aaron VanDyke, an American citizen detained in Tihar Prison located in Yeni Delhi, the capital of Hindistan, applied to the court, stating that he could not accept the prison food. VanDyke, who is accused of terrorism activities, claimed that he has been on a hunger strike for more than the last 50 days and cannot eat the prison's oily, spicy, and hot food. The detainee, who filed a petition to allow his chosen food to be brought into the prison and to cook his own meals, stated that his family is ready to cover all expenses. This unusual request has become a subject of wide debate both legally and humanitarianly. The court requested a response from the Tihar Prison administration regarding the matter and postponed the next hearing to 21 Temmuz.

VanDyke's lawyers emphasized that their client, as an American citizen, could not get used to the prison kitchen in Hindistan and that this situation seriously threatened his health. It was reported that the detainee, who has lost approximately 14 kilos in the last few weeks, started to have vision problems, and his immune system and physical capacity have largely weakened. The lawyers argued that the application was made entirely for humanitarian reasons and that the client needs proper nutrition to survive. Additionally, it was stated that the family volunteered to cover not only the food costs but also the cooking equipment and all other requirements. The court will have to take into account the detainee's health condition and prison regulations while evaluating these claims.

The food requested by VanDyke was also listed in detail in the list submitted to the court. The list includes a wide variety of products such as red meat, chicken, shrimp, pasta, noodles, rice, potatoes, onions, various legumes, spices, bread, butter, olive oil, tuna milk, and soy milk. Additionally, the detainee requested an induction stove, pots, containers, and a plastic chopping device so that he could prepare these foods himself. These requests create a complex decision for the authorities as they require a highly unusual arrangement in a prison environment. The fact that detainees are rarely allowed to cook their own food in the Hindistan prison system further increases the uniqueness of this request.

The charges behind Matthew Aaron VanDyke's landing in Tihar Prison are based on a highly serious national security case. The Hindistan Ulusal Soruşturma Ajansı (NIA) arrested VanDyke at Kolkata Havalimanı on 13 Mart along with six Ukrainian citizens on terrorism charges. According to the NIA, the defendants are accused of plotting terrorist acts by establishing ties with a banned armed organization in Hindistan. Investigation findings indicate that the suspects procured weapons and combat equipment as well as provided training to militants. It was claimed that during interrogations, the defendants confessed to having direct contact with armed militants carrying AK-47 rifles.

The large-scale investigation conducted by the NIA also uncovered a terror network with international dimensions. According to investigation sources, 14 Ukrainian tourists entered Hindistan with tourist visas, first going to Guwahati and then to Mizoram. It was alleged that the suspects, who entered Myanmar from there without permission, provided military training to various armed groups and facilitated the procurement of drones from Europe. A lawsuit was filed against VanDyke and the other defendants under UAPA, Hindistan's counter-terrorism law, and other relevant penal code provisions. In this context, the fact that VanDyke is a detainee demanding better nutrition in prison creates a striking contrast with the very serious terrorism charges he faces.