Ujjwal Nikam named prosecutor for Pune gang-rape trial

MUMBAI - The Maharashtra government Friday appointed ace lawyer Ujjwal Nikam as the special public prosecutor in the trial of three men accused of gang-raping a married woman in Pune last week.

Nikam would lead the prosecution in the case which will be tried in a fast track court, Home Minister R.R. Patil announced in the legislative assembly.

Nikam has shot to international limelight for successfully handling of major terror trials, including the March 12, 1993, Mumbai serial bomb blasts and the recently-concluded Nov 26, 2008, Mumbai terror attacks case, on behalf of the government.

The victim, a 25-year-old married woman from Nagpur, was gang-raped by three persons after they lured her with the offer of a lift in their vehicle April 2, near Hinjewadi on the outskirts of Pune.

The victim, qualified in Masters in Hospital Administration, had come to Pune around three weeks ago looking for a job and had appeared for some interviews.

The police managed to crack the case within 24 hours by nabbing the three accused men - Ranjit S. Gade, Ganesh Kamble and the kingpin, Subhash Bhosale.

Patil said the state government has also written to the Bombay High Court seeking trial of all pending rape cases in fast track courts to ensure speedy justice for the victims.

Incidentally, another high-profile case, in which Bollywood actor Shiney Ahuja has been charged with raping his domestic help last June, is pending before a fast track court in Mumbai.