Mehul Choksi’s Indian lawyer Vijay Aggarwal charged with sexual assault in London

Delhi based criminal trial lawyer Vijay Aggarwal, who represents fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi, has been arrested and charged in London on four counts of sexual assault involving two women, Times of India reported. .Aggarwal’s personal assistant, Manpreet Kaur, has also been charged with two counts of intentionally encouraging or assisting the commission of sexual assault offences.Aggarwal (57) and Kaur (41) appeared before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 13. Both were remanded to custody and their case was sent to Southwark Crown Court, where a plea and trial preparation hearing is scheduled for September 10..The two Indian nationals were arrested on August 11 at a serviced townhouse on Brick Street in Mayfair, where they were reportedly staying. The arrests followed complaints of sexual assault at the property.Three of the charges against Aggarwal relate to alleged incidents involving a woman on August 9. He is accused of intentionally touching her in a sexual manner without her consent, an offence under Section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act, 2003.The fourth charge concerns another alleged sexual assault that took place on May 26..Kaur is accused of intentionally encouraging or assisting the commission of sexual assault on May 26 and August 9. The prosecution case is reportedly that she introduced 2 women to Aggarwal and invited them to the address after a false job advertisement was posted.Two other people - a 23-year-old man and a 43-year-old woman - were also arrested on August 11 in connection with the investigation. They have been released on bail pending further enquiries.The two complainants are being supported by specialist police officers. Their identities are protected under British law..Before the magistrate's court, Aggarwal was represented by Lucy Bluck of Kingsley Napley.Kaur was represented by Stuart Harris of HP Gower Solicitors. .Aggarwal has been representing Choksi in extradition proceedings in Belgium. Choksi was arrested there in April 2025 pursuant to an extradition request from India.Choksi is accused, along with his nephew Nirav Modi and others, of defrauding Punjab National Bank of about ₹13,500 crore. He has denied the allegations.