Ujjwal Nikam: 5 Facts About BJP’s Mumbai North Central Candidate

Ujjwal Nikam, the renowned lawyer, has been a notable figure in several high-profile court cases. He was recently chosen by the BJP as their candidate for the Mumbai North Central constituency, replacing Poonam Mahajan. This constituency in Maharashtra is composed of six assembly segments and is scheduled for polls on May 20, with the vote count slated for June 4.

Born in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon on March 30, 1953, Ujjwal Nikam was the son of lawyer Deorao Madhavrao Nikam and Vimaladevi, a prominent freedom fighter. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree and obtained his law degree from SS Maniyar Law College in Jalgaon. Nikam’s career has been marked by his involvement in various significant court cases.

In 1991, he played a crucial role in convicting Ravinder Singh for the Kalyan bomb blast. He achieved further prominence in 1993 when he became the public prosecutor for the Mumbai serial blasts case, serving for over 14 years in the special court established under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act. Notably, Ujjwal Nikam also served as the public prosecutor in the trial of Ajmal Kasab, the lone terrorist captured after the 26/11 attacks, and successfully argued for Kasab’s death penalty.

Additionally, in 2006, Nikam was the prosecutor in the murder case of Pramod Mahajan, who was shot dead by his brother Pravin following a dispute. Following his involvement in the 26/11 case, Ujjwal Nikam was provided with Z-plus security in 2009. In recognition of his contributions, he was honored with the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, in 2016.