‘Lone wolf’ attack case: ATS invokes UAPA; accused has schizophrenia, his lawyer tells court

May 5, 2026 Headlinesnews

3 min readMumbaiMay 4, 2026 10:38 PM IST

The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has invoked the anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against the 31-year-old man arrested in the “lone wolf attack” case for allegedly stabbing two security guards in Mira Road.

Meanwhile his lawyer told a special court on Monday that the accused has schizophrenia and sought his psychological assessment.

Zaib Zubair Ansari has been charged under section 16 (punishment for terrorist act) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Ansari’s lawyer, Abdul Wahab Khan, told the court that his parents, who are based in the US, said he was being treated for schizophrenia and sought a psychological assessment by medical experts.
Special Judge S S Shinde directed the investigators to look into a medical assessment for Ansari, while granting them eight days of his custody until May 11 for further investigation.

The ATS produced Ansari before the special court in Thane on Monday, seeking his further custody to confront him with the mirror image of his phone received from a forensic laboratory, which he had allegedly wiped before his arrest.

The ATS also told the court it wants to probe whether he had “radicalised” any person as he was teaching online classes for students based in the UAE for science and maths subjects.

The ATS also said it is probing whether there was any role of his former wife, an Afghan national in his alleged radicalisation.

Story continues below this ad

Ansari’s lawyer told the court he needs to be medically assessed. While the ATS said he was being periodically made to undergo a medical test while in custody, the lawyer said that he needs a psychological test. Ansari’s lawyer, Khan, told the court that he did not socialise with anyone and only ate vegetarian food cooked by himself.

The court asked Ansari if he had any complaints about the police treatment. While the court asked him in Hindi, the lawyer said that Ansari only spoke in English. Ansari, in a US accent, told court, “I don’t understand everything….I don’t understand the papers given to me that I am being asked to sign,” he said.

The ATS told the court it wants to probe if he was in touch with any terrorist organisation members in the US or in India.

Ansari was arrested after he allegedly attacked two guards of an under-construction building in the early hours of April 27, after asking them their religion. The ATS claims that a search of his home after his arrest led them to a chit mentioning an oath of allegiance to terrorist outfit ISIS.

Sadaf Modak is a distinguished Legal Correspondent based in Mumbai whose work demonstrates exceptional Expertise and Authority in covering the intricacies of the judicial and correctional systems. Reporting for The Indian Express, she is a highly Trustworthy source for in-depth coverage of courtroom proceedings and human rights issues.
Expertise

Specialized Role: As a dedicated Legal Correspondent, Sadaf Modak possesses deep, specialized knowledge of legal procedures, statutes, and judicial operations, lending immense Authority to her reports.

Core Authority & Focus: Her work primarily centers on:

Trial Court Proceedings: She mainly covers the trial courts of Mumbai, providing crucial, on-the-ground reporting on the day-to-day legal processes that affect citizens. She maintains a keen eye on both major criminal cases and the “ordinary and not so ordinary events” that reveal the human element within the justice system.

Correctional and Social Justice Issues: Her commitment extends beyond the courtroom to critical areas of social justice, including writing extensively on:

Prisons and Incarceration: Covering the conditions, administration, and legal issues faced by inmates.

Juvenile Justice: Reporting on the complexities of the juvenile justice system and the legal rights of children.

Human Rights: Focusing on fundamental human rights within the context of law enforcement and state institutions.

Experience

Institutional Affiliation: Reporting for The Indian Express—a leading national newspaper—ensures her coverage is subject to high editorial standards of accuracy, impartiality, and legal rigor.

Impactful Detail: Her focus on trial courts provides readers with direct, detailed insights into the workings of the justice system, making complex legal narratives accessible and establishing her as a reliable and trusted chronicler of the legal landscape.

Sadaf Modak’s blend of judicial focus and commitment to human rights issues establishes her as a vital and authoritative voice in Indian legal journalism.
She tweets @sadafmodak … Read More