London: Indian criminal lawyer Vijay Aggarwal, who represents fugitive diamond businessman Mehul Choksi, has been arrested in London and charged with four sexual assault offences involving two women.
His personal assistant, Manpreet Kaur, has also been arrested and charged with two offences of intentionally encouraging or assisting sexual assault.
The two Indian nationals were arrested on August 11 at 29 Brick Street in Mayfair, a luxury serviced townhouse where they were staying. The Metropolitan Police were alerted following reports of alleged sexual assaults at the property.
They remained in custody and were charged on August 13, when they appeared together at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
Vijay Aggarwal Faces Four Sexual Assault Charges
Aggarwal, 57, who was born in Delhi, faces four counts of sexual assault against two women.
Three charges relate to an alleged incident on August 9 at the Mayfair property. Prosecutors allege that Aggarwal intentionally touched a woman in a sexual manner without her consent.
He also faces another charge relating to an alleged incident on May 26.
The property where the alleged incidents took place is a 4,000-square-foot, four-storey, five-bedroom serviced townhouse. It reportedly includes housekeeping services and a daily breakfast hamper and can be rented for about £2,000 (around ₹2.6 lakh) per night.
Manpreet Kaur, 41, faces two charges of intentionally encouraging or assisting the commission of sexual assault offences.
The charges relate to alleged incidents on May 26 and August 9. Prosecutors allege that Kaur introduced two women to Aggarwal and invited them to the property after posting a false job advertisement.
Case Sent to Southwark Crown Court
The case has been sent to Southwark Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing scheduled for September 10. Both Aggarwal and Kaur have been remanded in custody.
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 since been released on bail pending further enquiries.
The two women who reported the alleged sexual assaults continue to receive support from specialist officers, according to police.
Vijay Aggarwal Represents Mehul Choksi
Aggarwal has been representing Mehul Choksi in his extradition proceedings in Antwerp, Belgium. Choksi is currently in custody in Belgium after being arrested in April 2025 following an extradition request from India.
Choksi, the uncle of fugitive businessman Nirav Modi, left India in January 2018, before the alleged Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud came to light.
He later obtained citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda.
Indian authorities have accused Choksi, Nirav Modi and others of allegedly defrauding Punjab National Bank of around ₹13,500 crore. Choksi has denied the allegations.
The allegations against Aggarwal and Kaur are subject to court proceedings, and they have not been convicted of the offences.
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