Mehul Choksi's lawyer Vijay Aggarwal charged with 4 sexual assaults in London

Indian criminal lawyer Vijay Aggarwal, who has represented fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi, has been charged in London with four counts of sexual assault, the Metropolitan Police confirmed to India Today. A 41-year-old woman was also charged in connection with the case, while two others arrested during the investigation were released on bail.

In Short

• Incidents allegedly occurred on May 26 and August 9 at Mayfair property
• Vijay Aggarwal remanded in custody, court hearing set for September 10
• Manpreet Kaur charged for assisting sexual assault, two others released on bail

Vijay Aggarwal, who has represented fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi, has been charged with four counts of sexual assault in London, the Metropolitan Police has confirmed exclusively to India Today.

According to the Metropolitan Police, officers attended a property on Brick Street in Mayfair on August 11 following reports of sexual assaults. The alleged incidents are reported to have taken place on May 26 and August 9.

“On Tuesday (August 11), officers attended a property in Brick Street, Mayfair, in connection with reports of sexual assaults at the address. A 57-year-old man (Aggarwal) and a 41-year-old woman were arrested in connection with the incidents, which are reported to have occurred on Tuesday (May 26) and Sunday (August 9),” the police said in a statement to India Today.

Aggarwal, 57, was arrested and subsequently charged on August 13 with four counts of sexual assault. He appeared before Westminster Magistrates’ Court the same day and was remanded in custody. He is due to appear before Southwark Crown Court on September 10.

A 41-year-old woman, Manpreet Kaur, was also charged with two counts of intentionally encouraging or assisting the commission of an either-way offence, namely sexual assault.

The Met revealed that 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. However, they have not been charged and were released on bail pending further enquiries.

The police said the two women who reported the alleged sexual assaults continue to be supported by specialist officers.

Aggarwal’s high-profile legal career

Aggarwal is a prominent criminal lawyer in India and has represented several high-profile accused. He is particularly known for representing Mehul Choksi, the fugitive diamantaire wanted in India in connection with the Punjab National Bank fraud case.

Aggarwal has been Choksi’s lawyer in several legal proceedings and has frequently spoken publicly on his client’s behalf during Choksi’s legal battles across multiple jurisdictions.

- Ends