Who Is Ujjwal Nikam? 26/11 Prosecutor Nominated To Rajya Sabha After 2024 Poll Defeat
Ujjwal Nikam, one of India's most distinguished public prosecutors, is best known for serving as the Special Public Prosecutor in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks trial
Ujjwal Nikam, the Special Public Prosecutor in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case, is one of four individuals nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu.
The official Gazette notification dated Saturday, July 12, 2025, stated that the nominations were made to fill the vacancies arising from the retirement of previously nominated members.
The three other nominees include seasoned diplomat Harsh Vardhan Shringla, historian Dr Meenakshi Jain, and Kerala-based teacher and social worker C. Sadanandan Master.
Among the nominees is Ujjwal Nikam, one of India's most distinguished public prosecutors, best known for serving as the Special Public Prosecutor in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks trial and several other high-profile criminal cases.
President Droupadi Murmu invoked her authority under Article 80(1)(a) of the Constitution, which empowers her to nominate individuals with special knowledge or practical experience in literature, science, art, or social service.
Who Is Ujjwal Nikam?
Nikam, who hails from a humble background in Maharashtra's Jalgaon, has risen to become one of the most prominent legal voices in the country.
During his career as a legal professional, Nikam built a formidable reputation through his involvement in several high-profile criminal cases.
Apart from leading the prosecution in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks trial, Nikam has also argued in major cases such as the Gulshan Kumar murder case and the murder trial of BJP leader Pramod Mahajan.
He has played a key role in prosecuting numerous terror-related cases, including the 1991 Kalyan bombing case, the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, and the 2003 Gateway of India bombings.
Niakm was awarded the prestigious Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2016.
He made his unsuccessful political debut during last year's general elections. He was fielded by the BJP from the Mumbai North Central Lok Sabha constituency.
However, he faced defeat at the hands of Congress candidate Varsha Gaikwad.
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First Published:
July 13, 2025, 10:00 IST
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