Who is Ujjwal Nikam, BJP's LS candidate and 26/11 prosecutor who used the controversial 'biryani' story to convict Ajmal Kasab?

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has selected lawyer Ujjwal Nikam as its candidate for the Mumbai North Central constituency, replacing Poonam Mahajan. Nikam, known for his role as the prosecutor in the 26/11 attacks case, will contest against Congress' Varsha Gaikwad.

Who is Ujjwal Nikam
Ujjwal Nikam was born in Maharashtra's Jalgaon on March 30, 1953, to lawyer Deorao Madhavrao Nikam and Vimaladevi, a well-known freedom fighter. He has a Bachelor of Science degree and obtained his law degree from SS Maniyar Law College in Jalgaon.


Legal Career Highlights
Nikam has been a key figure in several famous court cases. In 1991, he played a major role in convicting Ravinder Singh for the Kalyan bomb blast. His career took a significant turn in 1993 when he became the public prosecutor for the Mumbai serial blasts case. He worked for over 14 years in the special court established under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act.

Prominent Cases
Nikam was the public prosecutor in the trial of Ajmal Kasab, the lone terrorist caught after the 26/11 attacks. He successfully argued for Kasab's death penalty. His legal career also includes high-profile assignments such as the murder case of Bollywood producer Gulshan Kumar in 1997 and the murder case of Pramod Mahajan in 2006.

Awards and Recognition
Nikam's contributions to the legal field have been acknowledged with several awards. He was provided Z-plus security after 2009, when he became a prosecutor in the 26/11 case. In 2016, he was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award.

Political Candidacy
The BJP has fielded Ujjwal Nikam as its Lok Sabha candidate from Mumbai North Central, replacing Poonam Mahajan. This decision was based on organisational feedback and negative ratings for Mahajan in several poll surveys. Nikam's candidacy has added a new dimension to the electoral contest in the constituency, which consists of six assembly segments and is scheduled for polls on May 20, with votes to be counted on June 4.

Family Legacy
Nikam's son, Aniket Nikam, is also a criminal lawyer in the Mumbai High Court, continuing the family's legacy in the legal profession.

Controversy
Nikam came under scrutiny for his claim during a global conference on counter-terrorism in Jaipur in 2015, where he disclosed that he fabricated an anecdote that the Mumbai attack's accused Ajmal Kasab had demanded 'mutton biryani' in jail. He stated that he did so to "break an emotional wave" that was being created in favor of the terrorist.

Ujjwal Nikam's nomination as the BJP candidate for the Mumbai North Central seat has brought attention to his illustrious legal career and his pivotal role in significant court cases. His candidacy reflects the party's strategic decision-making in the upcoming elections, adding a dynamic element to the political landscape in Maharashtra.