Ujjwal Nikam’s Biggest Cases: ‘Courtroom Battles That Made History’; From the 1993 Bombay Blasts to 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attacks Trials – Here’s Full List Inside

Ujjwal Nikam’s Biggest Cases: Not many lawyers from India have become synonymous with some highly publicized criminal trials like Ujjwal Nikam. Right from the 1993 Bombay serial bombings to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case, the entire legal career of Ujjwal Nikam has been filled with some highly controversial cases where there was a debate on issues of justice and public security. Having received Padma Shri in the year 2016, he gained his fame as a Special Public Prosecutor in the cases of some of the most controversial criminal proceedings of India.

Who Is Ujjwal Nikam?

Ujjwal Deorao Nikam, born on March 30, 1953, in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, had a background in science before going on to become a lawyer. Nikam graduated from S. S. Maniyar Law College, located in Jalgaon, in the year 1976, as per the information available in the biography. Nikam gained prominence as a prosecutor in intricate murder and terrorist cases. His work brought him the Padma Shri, India’s fourth highest civilian honour, in 2016. 

On July 2025, he got nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the President and Nikam’s career has also been noticed due to his heavy security and involvement in politics from 2024.

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Ujjwal Nikam’s Biggest Cases

Several landmark prosecutions define Nikam’s professional legacy:

• 1993 Bombay serial bombings: The prosecution of those accused in coordinated attacks across Mumbai.
• 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks: The trial of Ajmal Kasab, the sole attacker captured alive.
• Gulshan Kumar murder case: Proceedings connected to the killing of the music producer in 1997.
• Pramod Mahajan murder case: The prosecution following the 2006 killing of the senior BJP leader.
• Kopardi rape and murder case: A high-profile sexual violence case from Maharashtra in 2016.
• 2013 Mumbai gang rape case: A prosecution that brought sexual violence and criminal accountability into national debate.
• 2003 Gateway of India and Zaveri Bazaar Bombings: The case involving two car bomb explosions in Mumbai that killed dozens of people. 
• Khairlanji Massacre Case (2006): The prosecution following the murders of four members of a Dalit family in Maharashtra, a case that sparked widespread debate about caste violence and justice. 
• Shakti Mills Gang-Rape Cases (2013): Nikam served as special public prosecutor in the high-profile Mumbai gang-rape cases involving a photojournalist and a telephone operator. 
• Marine Drive Police Station Rape Case (2005): The prosecution of a police constable convicted of raping a teenage girl inside a Mumbai police station. 
• Pallavi Purkayastha Murder Case (2012): The case involving the murder of a young lawyer by her residential building’s security guard. 
• Preeti Rathi Acid-Attack and Murder Case (2013): The prosecution involving a young woman who died after an acid attack at Mumbai’s Bandra railway station. 
• Kalyan Local Train Bombing Case (1991): An early terrorism-related case associated with Nikam’s prosecution career. 
• German Bakery Blast Case (2010): The Pune bombing case, another major terrorism prosecution associated with Nikam. 
• Mohsin Shaikh Murder Case (2014): A high-profile murder case involving the killing of an IT professional in Pune. Nikam’s appointment as prosecutor was sought, but he later opted out of the case. 
• Pradip Jain Murder Case (1995): The case involving the murder of a Mumbai builder, for which Nikam was appointed special public prosecutor. 
• Abu Jundal Case Related to the 26/11 Attacks: Nikam has also been associated with proceedings against Zabiuddin Ansari, alias Abu Jundal, in connection with the Mumbai terror attacks. 
• Laila Khan and Family Murder Case: Nikam was associated with proceedings against Parvez Tak over the alleged murder of actor Laila Khan and members of her family. 
• Vijay Palande Murder Cases: Nikam has handled proceedings involving Palande, who faced allegations linked to multiple murders. 
• Asha Goel Murder Case (2003): The prosecution concerning the murder of a Mumbai obstetrician. 
• Nadeem-Shravan Music Composer Nadeem Akhtar Saifi Extradition Case: Nikam has also been associated with legal proceedings concerning the extradition of music composer Nadeem Saifi.