Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Mumbai Court Bars Physical Appearance of ISIS-Linked Accused
A court in Mumbai is hearing a case involving Tabish Siddiqui, who is accused of having links to ISIS.
During a hearing, he allegedly insulted and threatened the judge.
The court then decided he should not be brought into the courtroom in person.
It also said he should be offered a lawyer, but he refused to sign a form for the lawyer.
Siddiqui has said he has mental-health conditions.
A hospital report cited by the court said it found no major mental illness at that time.
The court said it believed he might be pretending to have mental-health problems to delay the trial.
These are the court's statements and allegations in the case.
A special NIA court ordered that Tabish Siddiqui not be physically brought before it after an alleged courtroom outburst.
The court record says Siddiqui abused and threatened the judge and said he had no respect for the government or court.
The court directed that Siddiqui be offered a legal-aid lawyer, but he refused to sign the appearance memo.
Siddiqui had claimed schizophrenia and other mental-health conditions; a hospital report cited by the court said no major mental illness was present.
The court said an October 5 report indicated Siddiqui was pretending to have mental-health issues to evade trial proceedings.
- Who
- Tabish Siddiqui, an accused in an NIA case, and the special NIA court.
- What
- The court ordered that Siddiqui not be physically produced before it after he allegedly abused and threatened the judge.
- When
- The reported courtroom incident occurred on Thursday; the article is dated October 8, 2026.
- Where
- A special NIA court in Mumbai.
- Why
- The court acted after the alleged courtroom misconduct; it also cited a report indicating Siddiqui was pretending to have mental-health issues to evade trial proceedings.
Siddiqui's Claims
Court's Assessment
Mental health
Siddiqui's Claims
Siddiqui had claimed he suffered from schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder and was incapable of understanding the nature of the alleged acts.
Court's Assessment
The court cited a hospital report saying there was no major mental illness at present and said an October 5 report indicated he was pretending to have mental-health issues to evade trial.
Bail
Siddiqui's Claims
Siddiqui sought bail, citing his claimed mental-health conditions.
Court's Assessment
The court rejected bail, saying he had been determined and firm when allegedly engaging in acts that posed a threat to the country's unity, integrity, security, and sovereignty.
- Accused
- Tabish Siddiqui, a Byculla resident
- Court action
- Ordered that he not be physically produced before the court
- Alleged conduct
- The court record says he abused and threatened the judge in open court
- Legal aid
- The court directed that he be provided a legal-aid lawyer; he refused to sign the memo
- Hospital report
- The court said a report found no major mental illness at present and described his condition as within normal limits
- Arrest
- July 3, 2023
- Earlier bail plea
- Rejected; the court cited the alleged seriousness of the acts