Mumbai, Dec 20 (IANS) Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, who is conducting the Mumbai terror attacks trial, Sunday denied he ever said that a former central minister attempted to put pressure on him and Mumbai Police to exploit the issue in the Lok Sabha elections.
“This is utter nonsense. I don’t know from where they got this, I have never said anything like this,” Nikam told IANS Sunday evening.

According to a section of regional television channels, Nikam reportedly said in Latur Saturday that “a former central cabinet minister” had built up pressure on him and the police in the 26/11 trial so as to exploit the issue to the party’s advantage in the last Lok Sabha elections, held in April-May this year.

Nikam was also credited with saying that the unidentified former central minister even advised the police and the SPP to file a dozen independent charge sheets in the cases against the lone Pakistani terror accused, Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab.

“I shall speak with the concerned television channels. This is absolute nonsense,” fumed Nikam. Later, his denial was telecast. He even claimed that his comments in a speech were telecast in a “pick and choose” manner.

While Nikam denied the statements attributed to him, state Leader of Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party’s Eknath Khadse and Hussain Dalwai of the Congress demanded that he should reveal the name of the minister.

Shiv Sena spokesman and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut said that if what Nikam reportedly said is true, then all political parties must take it up seriously.