By Saurav Pandey | July 13, 2025
Ujjwal Nikam, along with three others, is nominated to the Rajya Sabha by President Droupadi Murmu under Article 80(1)(a) of the Constitution, recognizing his contributions to law and justice.
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Nikam is renowned as a Special Public Prosecutor in high-profile cases, most notably the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks trial, where he secured the conviction of Ajmal Kasab.
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Apart from the 26/11 case, Nikam handled landmark cases such as the Gulshan Kumar murder, Pramod Mahajan assassination, and the 1993 Mumbai blasts.
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He played a crucial role in prosecuting terror cases like the 1991 Kalyan bombings, 2003 Gateway of India blasts, and other national security-related matters.
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In recognition of his legal expertise, Nikam was honoured with the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, in 2016.
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Hailing from Jalgaon, Maharashtra, Nikam rose from modest roots to become one of India’s most respected prosecutors.
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Nikam contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Mumbai North Central on a BJP ticket but lost to Congress’s Varsha Gaikwad.
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Other Rajya Sabha nominees include diplomat Harsh Vardhan Shringla, historian Dr. Meenakshi Jain, and social worker C. Sadanandan Master.
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Article 80(1)(a) allows the President to nominate individuals with exceptional contributions in fields like law, arts, science, or social service.
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