The BJP has chosen lawyer Ujjwal Nikam as its candidate for the Mumbai North Central constituency, replacing Poonam Mahajan. Mr Nikam is known for his role as a prosecutor in the 26/11 attacks case.
The Mumbai North Central constituency in Maharashtra consists of six assembly segments and goes to polls on May 20. The votes will be counted on June 4.
Here are some facts about Ujjwal Nikam
1. Ujjwal Nikam was born on March 30, 1953, in Jalgaon in Maharashtra, the son of lawyer Deorao Madhavrao Nikam and Vimaladevi, a noted freedom fighter. Mr. Nikam holds a Bachelor of Science degree and obtained his law degree from SS Maniyar Law College, Jalgaon.
2. Ujjwal Nikam has been a key figure in a number of famous legal cases. In 1991, he was instrumental in the conviction of Ravinder Singh for the Kalyan bomb blast. His career took a major turn in 1993 when he became a public prosecutor in the Mumbai serial blasts case. He worked for more than fourteen years at the special court established under the Prevention of Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act.
3. Ujjwal Nikam was the prosecutor in the trial of Ajmal Kasab, the only terrorist captured after the 26/11 attacks. He successfully argued for Kasab's death penalty.
4. Ujjwal Nikam's legal career also includes several high-profile assignments such as the murder case of Bollywood producer and T-Series founder Gulshan Kumar in 1997. In 2006, Mr. Nikam was also a prosecutor in the murder case of Pramod Mahajan, which was shot dead by his brother Pravin in April 2006 after a dispute.
5. Mr. Nikam received Z-plus protection after 2009, when he became a prosecutor in the 11/26 case. In 2016, he was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award.