'Too Spicy And Oily Food': US Mercenary Matthew Van Dyke Allowed To Cook His American-Style Meal In Tihar Jail

Published 21 July 2026 · local

'Too Spicy And Oily Food': US Mercenary Matthew Van Dyke Allowed To Cook His American-Style Meal In Tihar Jail Published By, Last Updated: July 21

'Too Spicy And Oily Food': US Mercenary Matthew Van Dyke Allowed To Cook His American-Style Meal In Tihar Jail Published By, Last Updated: July 21, 2026, 18:45 IST Van Dyke, a US citizen, was arrested by the Investigation Agency (NIA) on March 13 along with six Ukrainian nationals. Another case involves Matthew Aaron VanDyke, an American prisoner in Tihar Jail, who requested items such as chicken, pasta and soy milk, claiming oily and spicy Indian food affected his health. Such requests are examined individually, particularly when supported by medical evidence. An application filed by American citizen Matthew Aaron Van Dyke, currently lodged in Delhi’s Tihar Jail in connection with a terror conspiracy case, has raised questions over whether foreign prisoners in India can seek special food or even cook their own meals. Van Dyke has approached the court seeking permission to be provided an “American-style" diet, claiming he is unable to consume the spicy and oily food served in prison because of health issues. His lawyers have also requested that he be allowed to cook his own food. Tihar files reply on Van Dyke’s plea The Tihar prison authorities on Tuesday filed their reply before Special Judge Prashant Sharma on Van Dyke’s application. Earlier this month, advocates Rohit Dandriyal and Rohit Gour, appearing for Van Dyke, had moved the court seeking permission for an American-style diet on humanitarian grounds.

According to the advocates, the jail superintendent submitted the response to the court on Tuesday. They argued that their client was suffering from health ailments and could not consume the “oily" and “spicy" Indian food served in jail. They further submitted that protecting the dignity of an accused was a constitutional mandate and that Van Dyke should be allowed food he had been accustomed to before his arrest. Request to cook his own meals Apart from seeking a special diet, Van Dyke’s lawyers also urged the court to allow him to cook his own food. According to the advocates, the court accepted the submissions and directed the jail superintendent to provide a cook for preparing Van Dyke’s meals. They also said Judge Sharma instructed prison authorities to take care of Van Dyke’s health. The lawyers added that they would visit Tihar Jail on Wednesday to meet their client in the presence of the medical officer and the jail superintendent. The cook is expected to prepare a meal in their presence. However, the advocates did not disclose what food items were included in the requested “American-style" diet or which items had reportedly been permitted by the court. They said the details would become clear only after Wednesday’s visit to the prison. Other facilities sought The advocates said the court also permitted Van Dyke to be provided with an electronic kettle and a mosquito net inside the prison.