Ujjwal Nikam, the government's lawyer in the Mumbai attack case, has been nominated to the Rajya Sabha. PM Modi informed him via phone and spoke in Marathi. Nikam thanked the President and the PM.
New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu has nominated senior advocate Ujjwal Nikam, former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, educationist C. Sadanandan Master, and historian Meenakshi Jain to the Rajya Sabha. This announcement was made late Saturday night by the Ministry of Home Affairs through a notification. The selection of the four names was made under Article 80 of the Constitution, which allows the President to nominate individuals with outstanding contributions in various fields to the Rajya Sabha.
PM Modi's call and unique way of sharing the information
After being nominated to the Rajya Sabha, Ujjwal Nikam said that he was informed about it by Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself via phone. Nikam said, “The Prime Minister asked me whether he should speak in Hindi or Marathi. We both laughed at this. Then he spoke in Marathi and told me that the President wanted to give me this responsibility.”
Nikam also mentioned that during a meeting with the Prime Minister during the Lok Sabha election campaign, PM Modi had expressed confidence in him. He further stated that as soon as the Prime Minister mentioned the nomination, he immediately agreed.
PM Modi congratulated via tweet
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Ujjwal Nikam and the other three nominated members on X (formerly Twitter). He wrote that Ujjwal Nikam's dedication in the legal field is inspiring. He has not only been a successful lawyer but has also played a leading role in ensuring justice in many important cases.
PM Modi said, “Throughout his legal career, Nikam has upheld the spirit of the Constitution and has strived to ensure respectful treatment of ordinary citizens. It is a matter of pride to nominate him to the Rajya Sabha.”
Who is Ujjwal Nikam?
Ujjwal Nikam is a well-known criminal lawyer in the country. He was born in Jalgaon, Maharashtra. He has worked as a government lawyer in many high-profile cases. The most prominent name is the 2008 Mumbai terror attack. Nikam's role in securing the death sentence for Ajmal Kasab, the only terrorist caught alive in this attack, was decisive.
In addition, he has also represented the government in court in cases such as the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case, the Gulshan Kumar murder case, and the Pramod Mahajan murder case. He is known throughout the country for his legal understanding, b arguments, and impressive presentations in court.
Nikam has been honored with the Padma Shri
The Government of India awarded Ujjwal Nikam with the Padma Shri in 2016 for his contributions to government services and his remarkable work in the legal field. This is India's fourth-highest civilian honor.
Defeat in the Lok Sabha elections
The BJP had fielded Ujjwal Nikam from the Mumbai North Central seat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. However, he suffered a defeat to Congress candidate Varsha Gaikwad. But the party decided to send him to Parliament through the Rajya Sabha, keeping in mind his experience and legal service.
