Special Correspondent
New Delhi : Renowned public prosecutor Advocate Ujjwal Nikam, known for securing convictions in some of India’s most high-profile criminal cases, has been nominated to the Rajya Sabha by President Droupadi Murmu under Article 80 of the Indian Constitution, which allows the President to nominate individuals with exceptional expertise in fields like law, literature, science, art, and social service.
Ujjwal Nikam has played a pivotal role in cases such as the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts, the Gulshan Kumar murder, and the Kopardi rape and murder case, among many others. His sharp courtroom strategies, unwavering pursuit of justice, and ability to prepare witnesses under extreme pressure have earned him national recognition.
The nomination comes just weeks after Nikam contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from the Mumbai North Central constituency on a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket. He was, however, narrowly defeated by Congress candidate Varsha Gaikwad. Despite the electoral loss, his contribution to the legal domain has now been acknowledged through a seat in the Upper House of Parliament.
Alongside Ujjwal Nikam, three other distinguished personalities were also nominated to the Rajya Sabha:
Harsh Vardhan Shringla – Former Foreign Secretary of India, who served as ambassador to the U.S., Bangladesh, and Thailand.
Meenakshi Jain – Eminent historian and academician.
C. Sadanandan Master – Renowned social worker and educationist from Kerala.
Nikam’s appointment has triggered both appreciation and political reactions. While the legal fraternity has largely welcomed the decision as a deserving recognition of his lifetime of service in criminal law, opposition parties have raised concerns over the “political motives” behind his nomination so soon after a Lok Sabha defeat.
