Indian criminal lawyer Vijay Aggarwal, who has represented fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi in legal proceedings, has been arrested in London and charged with four counts of sexual assault, according to the Metropolitan Police.
Aggarwal, 57, was arrested on August 11 at a property on Brick Street in the Mayfair area of London. Police had attended the address following reports of alleged sexual assaults involving two women.
The Metropolitan Police said the reported incidents took place on May 26 and August 9. Aggarwal was subsequently charged with four counts of sexual assault. He appeared before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 13 and was remanded in custody.
The case has attracted attention in India because of Aggarwal’s professional association with Mehul Choksi. Aggarwal has represented Choksi in legal proceedings connected with the businessman’s extradition and other matters.
Choksi is wanted by Indian authorities in connection with the Punjab National Bank fraud case and has been involved in legal proceedings in several countries.
However, the current case against Aggarwal is separate from the allegations and legal proceedings involving Choksi.
What happened at the Mayfair property
According to the Metropolitan Police, officers went to a property on Brick Street on August 11 after receiving reports of sexual assaults.
Aggarwal and 41-year-old Manpreet Kaur were arrested in connection with the investigation.
Police subsequently charged Aggarwal with four counts of sexual assault. Kaur was charged with two counts of intentionally encouraging or assisting the commission of an either-way offence, namely sexual assault.
The property has been described in reports as a luxury serviced townhouse in Mayfair. Reports have identified the address as 29 Brick Street, a high-end residential property close to Hyde Park.
The property is marketed as a luxury Mayfair residence and offers accommodation for short and long-term stays, according to reports.
The reported allegations concern two women. Police said the women who reported the alleged assaults are receiving support from specialist officers.
Two other people, a 23-year-old man and a 43-year-old woman, were also arrested on August 11 as part of the same investigation. They were subsequently released on bail while police continue their enquiries.
Charges against Vijay Aggarwal
Aggarwal faces four sexual assault charges under UK law.
According to reports from the court proceedings, three of the charges relate to an alleged incident involving one woman on August 9. Another charge concerns an alleged incident involving a second woman on May 26.
The charges are allegations at this stage. Aggarwal has not been convicted of any offence, and the allegations will have to be established through the British judicial process.
Under UK law, a person charged with an offence remains legally presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The case is scheduled to be heard at Southwark Crown Court on September 10. Aggarwal and Kaur were both remanded in custody following their appearance at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
Personal assistant also charged
Manpreet Kaur, who is described as Aggarwal’s personal assistant, is facing two charges of intentionally encouraging or assisting the commission of sexual assault.
Reports from the proceedings state that the allegations relate to two separate incidents.
According to court reporting, Kaur is alleged to have brought two women to the Mayfair property after the women were contacted through what prosecutors allege were false job advertisements. These allegations have not been proven in court.
The Metropolitan Police has confirmed that the investigation remains ongoing.
The two women who reported the alleged assaults are continuing to receive support from specialist officers, according to the police.
Aggarwal’s connection to Mehul Choksi
Vijay Aggarwal is a Delhi-based criminal lawyer who has represented several high-profile clients.
His professional association with Mehul Choksi has brought considerable attention to his arrest in London.
Choksi is a fugitive businessman wanted in India in connection with the Punjab National Bank fraud case. Aggarwal has represented him during legal proceedings related to the case and his extradition.
Aggarwal was involved in legal proceedings concerning Choksi after the businessman was arrested in Belgium in 2025.
The current London criminal case involving Aggarwal is not a case against Choksi. It concerns allegations made against Aggarwal and another defendant in connection with incidents reported at a Mayfair property.
This distinction is important because the two matters involve separate investigations and legal proceedings.
Investigation continues
The Metropolitan Police continues to investigate the allegations.
Police have not announced that the investigation has concluded, and additional evidence could emerge before the case reaches the next stage of proceedings.
The arrest of two other individuals who were later released on bail indicates that investigators are examining the wider circumstances surrounding the reports.
The police investigation will likely involve statements from the complainants and witnesses, examination of evidence from the property and other relevant information.
The allegations relate to incidents reportedly occurring on two different dates, May 26 and August 9. Police attended the property on August 11 after receiving reports concerning the alleged assaults.
Court proceedings expected in September
After being charged on August 13, Aggarwal and Kaur appeared before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on the same day.
Both were remanded in custody and are scheduled to appear before Southwark Crown Court on September 10.
The upcoming court proceedings are expected to determine the next stage of the case.
The court will consider the charges according to British criminal procedure, while prosecutors will be required to present evidence supporting the allegations.
Until the case is decided, the allegations against both defendants should not be presented as established facts.
Earlier reports and clarification
Earlier reports about Aggarwal’s detention had focused on alleged immigration violations and claims concerning work authorisation in the United Kingdom.
There were also reports alleging that cash had been found at a Mayfair property. However, people close to Aggarwal disputed those reports and questioned the manner in which the matter had initially been reported.
The Metropolitan Police’s subsequent confirmation provides a different and more specific account of the criminal proceedings. The police have confirmed that Aggarwal was arrested and charged in connection with alleged sexual assaults.
The police confirmation does not establish the truth of the allegations. That will ultimately be determined through the judicial process.
Why the case has attracted attention in India
Aggarwal’s high-profile legal career and his association with Mehul Choksi have made the London case particularly significant in Indian media.
Choksi has been one of the most prominent Indian business fugitives involved in international legal proceedings.
His case has involved questions of extradition, international cooperation and financial crime allegations.
Aggarwal has represented Choksi during several stages of those proceedings.
The arrest of Choksi’s lawyer in a separate London criminal case has therefore generated considerable interest.
However, it is important to distinguish Aggarwal’s professional representation of Choksi from the current allegations against Aggarwal himself.
The London police investigation concerns alleged sexual assaults reported at a Mayfair property. It does not establish any criminal liability for Choksi in relation to those allegations.
Legal process ahead
The case will now proceed through the British court system.
The next major scheduled appearance is before Southwark Crown Court on September 10.
The prosecution will need to establish the allegations through evidence, while the defence will have an opportunity to challenge the case.
As with all criminal proceedings, the defendants are entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence.
The Metropolitan Police has said that specialist officers continue to support the two women who reported the alleged assaults.
Authorities have also confirmed that the investigation remains ongoing.
The final outcome will depend on the evidence presented and the decisions of the courts.
For now, the confirmed information is that Vijay Aggarwal, 57, was arrested in Mayfair on August 11 and later charged with four counts of sexual assault. Manpreet Kaur, 41, was also charged with two offences relating to allegedly encouraging or assisting sexual assault. Both remain in custody pending their next court appearance.
The case is expected to attract continued attention because of Aggarwal’s professional profile and his previous representation of Mehul Choksi.
However, the allegations remain unproven, and any further conclusions about the case should await the outcome of the legal proceedings.