In a recent development, renowned lawyer Ujjwal Nikam has been appointed as the special public prosecutor in the high-profile case of sexual assault involving two nursery students in Thane. Nikam, who is widely recognized for his legal expertise and contributions to the Indian judicial system, has a remarkable career history. Here are five key points about his illustrious career:
1. Major Terrorism Cases
Ujjwal Nikam played a pivotal role in several significant terrorism-related cases in India. Notably, he was instrumental in convicting Ravinder Singh for the Kalyan bomb blast of 1991. His involvement extended to the Mumbai serial blasts case in 1993, where he served as the public prosecutor.
2. High-Profile Murder Cases
Nikam’s legal career includes handling several high-profile murder cases. He was the prosecutor in the 1997 murder case of Bollywood producer and T-Series founder Gulshan Kumar. Additionally, he managed the murder trial of Pramod Mahajan, who was fatally shot by his brother Pravin in 2006.
3. 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attack
One of Nikam’s most notable roles was as the public prosecutor in the trial of Ajmal Kasab, the lone terrorist captured during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. His rigorous prosecution led to Kasab receiving the death penalty.
4. Security and Recognition
Following his critical work on the 26/11 case, Nikam was granted Z-plus security for his safety. In recognition of his contributions to the legal field, he was awarded the Padma Shri in 2016.
5. Political Aspirations
In addition to his legal career, Nikam ventured into politics. He was fielded by the BJP as their Lok Sabha candidate from Mumbai North Central in 2014 but lost to Congress candidate Gaikwad Varsha Eknath.
Ujjwal Nikam’s appointment as the special prosecutor in the Thane sex assault cases underscores his continued prominence in the Indian legal system and his commitment to justice.