New Delhi, 31 August (H.S.): The Delhi High Court has dismissed a petition filed by Ukrainian nationals accused of travelling to India to train ethnic groups in the Northeast, challenging a trial court order extending the investigation period from 90 days to 180 days. A bench headed by Justice Madhu Jain dismissed the petition.

The High Court had reserved its verdict on August 24.

The petition was filed by Ukrainian national Hurba Petro and other accused foreign nationals. During the hearing, National Investigation Agency (NIA) counsel Rahul Tyagi submitted that the trial court had passed a legally valid order. He said the investigation was still underway and that the court had the authority to extend the statutory period for completing the probe.

The foreign nationals have been accused of illegally entering Myanmar and subsequently entering protected areas of Mizoram, where they allegedly established contact with ethnic groups. They have been accused of supplying illegal weapons, providing training to ethnic groups and assisting them in operating drones.

Of the seven foreign nationals accused in the case, six are Ukrainian citizens and one is an American national.

According to the NIA, the foreign nationals entered India on valid visas before travelling to Mizoram, a protected area. They subsequently entered Myanmar and allegedly established contact with ethnic armed groups.

The NIA has alleged that the foreign nationals received training in Myanmar and subsequently provided training to ethnic armed groups. The agency has further alleged that these groups have links with insurgent organisations active in India.

The accused have also been alleged to have brought a large consignment of drones from Europe. The NIA has registered an FIR against them under various provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar