Kasab Trial Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, Ex-Foreign Secy Shringla Nominated To Rajya Sabha

The Centre has nominated former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and renowned criminal lawyer Ujjwal Deorao Nikam as members of the Rajya Sabha. The nominations were made by the President of India under Article 80 of the Constitution, which provides for the appointment of individuals with exceptional expertise or experience in fields such as literature, science, art, and social service.

The official announcement was issued on Sunday via a government notification, marking the formal induction of two distinguished professionals into the Upper House of Parliament.

Harsh Vardhan Shringla, a 1984-batch officer of the Indian Foreign Service, served as India's Foreign Secretary from January 2020 to April 2022. He played a key role in managing India's external affairs during the critical period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to that, he held significant diplomatic positions, including serving as India's Ambassador to the United States and High Commissioner to Bangladesh.

Ujjwal Nikam, a senior advocate with a long-standing legal career, has been at the forefront of several major criminal trials. He is most notably known for serving as the Special Public Prosecutor in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case involving Ajmal Kasab, as well as in the 1993 Bombay blasts case. Nikam has represented the Maharashtra government in numerous high-profile cases over the years, earning recognition for his dedication to the judicial process.

This move by the government underscores its intent to bring experienced professionals from diverse fields into the legislative process, recognizing their valuable contributions to diplomacy and the legal system.