1. Early Life & Foundation
Ujjwal Deorao Nikam was born on 30 March 1953 in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, into a family steeped in law—his father, Deoraoji Nikam, was a barrister and judge (Wikipedia). After completing a B.Sc., he pursued law at K.C.E. Society’s S. S. Maniyar Law College, Jalgaon, and began his legal career as a district prosecutor.
2. Rise as a Public Prosecutor
Climbing the ranks, Nikam became one of India’s most prominent Special Public Prosecutors. Over a career spanning more than three decades, he has secured 37 death sentences and 628 life imprisonments (Wikipedia). His most significant cases include:
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1991 Kalyan blast – his first major assignment (Hindustan Times)
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1993 Bombay serial blasts – catapulting him into national prominence (Wikipedia)
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Murder of Gulshan Kumar (1997) and Pramod Mahajan (2006) (Wikipedia)
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26/11 Mumbai terror attack (2008) – led prosecution against Ajmal Kasab (The Indian Express)
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2003 Gateway/Zaveri Bazaar bombings, Khairlanji massacre (2006), Shakti Mills gang-rape (2013), and Kopardi rape & murder (2016) (The Indian Express)
In recognition of his contributions, the Government of India honored him with the Padma Shri in 2016 (Wikipedia). He also holds a Z+ security cover, India’s second‑highest protection level (Wikipedia).
3. His Role in 26/11 & the “Biryani” Controversy
Nikam stood out in the 26/11 Mumbai terror trial, confronting Kasab. A controversial trial moment came when he claimed that Kasab requested mutton biryani in jail, a story later admitted to be fabricated to dispel public sympathy for the terrorist (The Indian Express). This claim continued to haunt him professionally and shaped his public image.
4. Brief Political Foray & Return to Law
Despite his legal career, Nikam ventured into politics during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, contesting from Mumbai North Central on a BJP ticket. Though he lost to Varsha Gaikwad (Congress) by approximately 16,514 votes (The Indian Express), he was quickly reappointed special prosecutor—this reinstatement drew sharp criticism from Congress and regional parties, alleging political bias (The Indian Express).
5. Recent Highlight: Nominated to the Rajya Sabha
On 13 July 2025, President Droupadi Murmu nominated him to the Rajya Sabha under Article 80(1)(a), recognizing his legal service (India Today). He joins the Upper House alongside former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, historian Meenakshi Jain, and social activist C Sadanandan Master (India Today).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally called him to share the news—and jokingly asked,
“Should I speak in Hindi or Marathi?”
then switched to Marathi during their conversation—eliciting mutual laughter (The Times of India, Moneycontrol).
Maharashtra leaders, including Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, publicly praised Nikam’s nomination, noting that his entrance into Parliament will elevate legal insight in legislative debates (Hindustan Times).
6. Current Prosecutorial Engagements
After his Lok Sabha loss, Nikam resumed as special public prosecutor in several major cases, including:
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The Najibullah Zazi–Zaibuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal prosecution relating to the 26/11 attack
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The Beed Sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh murder case—appointed on public demand and still ongoing as of June 2025 (The Indian Express, Wikipedia)
However, his reappointment in politically sensitive cases continues being criticized as politically motivated, with critics alleging misuse of prosecutorial powers for BJP’s agenda .
7. Criticism & Controversies
Since ascending, Nikam has faced scrutiny on several fronts:
a) Political Bias
Critics contend his 2024 election bid and swift return to powerful prosecutorial roles indicate political favoritism. Opposition parties, including Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT), criticized the BJP for relying on constitutional offices for political reward (OpIndia, Wikipedia).
b) Courtroom Tactics
His admission of fabricating the Kasab story raised questions about the ethics of courtroom storytelling. Legal analysts argue such tactics can undermine prosecutorial credibility (The Indian Express).
c) Public Demand Appointments
In high-profile cases like the Deshmukh murder, some lobby his appointment being influenced more by public sentiment and media pressure than legal merit .
Despite these concerns, Nikam remains a dominant presence in India’s judicial realm.
📌 Quick Facts
Fact | Detail |
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Born | 30 March 1953, Jalgaon, Maharashtra |
Education | B.Sc. + LL.B. from Jalgaon |
Career Stats | 37 death penalties awarded; 628 life sentences secured (Wikipedia) |
Padma Shri | Conferred in 2016 |
Security Cover | Z+ level |
Political Debut | BJP candidate, 2024 Lok Sabha (lost) |
Rajya Sabha Nomination | 13 July 2025, term until 2031 |
Languages | Marathi, Hindi, English |
🌟 Interesting Tidbits
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Courtroom Catchphrase: Joked to live TV, “I didn’t expect to end up in Parliament”—delighted by the PM’s jovial tone, while discussing nomination .
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Kasab Biriyani Saga: Fabricated the anecdote in court to deter public empathy—a bold, controversial tactic.
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From Law to Politics: He pivoted from a legal career to BJP politics in 2024—losing narrowly but then returning decisively to court.
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Ethnic Connection: PM Modi switched to Marathi during their conversation, signifying Nikam’s deep regional and cultural roots .
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Deshmukh Case Appointment: His acceptance as prosecutor in Beed followed a community hunger strike—reflecting grassroots trust in him (Wikipedia).
❓ FAQs
Q1: Who is Ujjwal Nikam?
A: A veteran Indian special public prosecutor born in 1953, known for landmark crime and terror trials—recently nominated to Rajya Sabha (Wikipedia).
Q2: What cases made him famous?
A: His role in prosecuting the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, 1993 Bombay blasts, Gulshan Kumar murder, Pramod Mahajan assassination, among others (Wikipedia).
Q3: Why was his Kasab “biryani” claim controversial?
A: He admitted fabricating that Kasab demanded biryani to reduce public sympathy, which stirred debate on legal ethics (The Indian Express).
Q4: Did he ever enter politics?
A: Yes—contested the 2024 Lok Sabha from Mumbai North Central on a BJP ticket (lost), then returned to prosecutorial duties (OpIndia).
Q5: What is his current political status?
A: Now serving as a Rajya Sabha MP, nominated on 13 July 2025 for a six-year term under Article 80(1)(a) (India Today).
Q6: Is he facing criticism?
A: He’s been criticized for alleged political favoritism (quick return as prosecutor post-election loss) and courtroom strategy tactics like the Kasab anecdote .
✅ Final Take
Ujjwal Nikam stands out as India’s best-known prosecutor, shaping judicial discourse through high-stakes criminal trials. His Padma Shri award, impressive conviction record, and bold courtroom style make him a compelling figure. While socialist groups raise concerns about his political entanglements, his Rajya Sabha nomination signals trust in his expertise to enhance legislative debates on justice and law enforcement.
As he shifts from bench to Parliament, his legal acumen and national security perspective could deeply influence policy-making in the coming years.
Whether you're exploring legal heroes, Indian politics, or modern controversy, Ujjwal Nikam’s journey—from courtroom crusader to parliamentarian—is a rich story of power, ethics, and public service.
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