Arun Tikku murder: Plea against reappointment of advocate Ujjwal Nikam rejected

The Mumbai Sessions Court on Thursday dismissed an application by multiple murder accused Vijay Palande, challenging the reappointment of advocate Ujjwal Nikam as Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) in his case.
Nikam had served as the SPP since 2012 but temporarily stepped down after being declared a candidate for the Mumbai North Central Lok Sabha constituency by the BJP in April 2024.
Palande argued that Nikam’s reappointment after his electoral defeat to Congress’ Varsha Gaikwad was done with “malafide intent,” claiming the latter would now act with a political agenda and jeopardise the fairness of the trial.
Nikam rejected the accusations, asserting that the accused had no legal right to contest his reappointment, which is the state’s prerogative. He emphasised that his role remains to assist the court in administering justice, dismissing Palande’s allegations as baseless.
The advocate explained that he resigned due to personal reasons but agreed to resume the case after the victims’ families requested his involvement. The state reappointed Nikam in June 2024.
Nikam further stated that his participation in the 2024 election did not affect his professional integrity or create bias. He highlighted that Palande’s case had no political connection.
Palande is currently serving a life sentence for the murders of Delhi businessman, Arun Tikku, and film producer, Karankumar Kakkad, a sentence upheld by the Bombay High Court.