Key Points
- Charges Laid: Vijay Aggarwal, a 57-year-old distinguished Indian lawyer famous for defending fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi, faces charges for four sexual assaults.
- Assistant Accused: Aggarwal’s assistant, a 41-year-old lady by the name of Manpreet Kaur, is facing charges for two counts of encouraging or assisting in the commission of a sexual assault offense.
- Legal Situation: Both were arrested on August 11, 2026, from their luxurious townhouse in the Mayfair area of London and remanded in custody after appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 13. They will be expected to appear in Southwark Crown Court on September 10, 2026.
- Further Investigation: According to the Metropolitan Police, two other persons, one 23-year-old man and another 43-year-old lady, were arrested in connection to the same case and have been released on bail until the conclusion of further investigations.
- Assistance to the Complainants: Specialist officers are offering continuous assistance to the two ladies who complained about the sexual assaults.
- Defense Position: Sources near Aggarwal have strongly objected to the manner through which the media has reported the case, considering that the allegations are yet to be proved in court.
London (The Londoner News) August 21, 2026 – High-profile Indian criminal lawyer Vijay Aggarwal, widely recognised for his legal representation of fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi in various international proceedings, has been remanded in custody after being formally charged with four counts of sexual assault in the United Kingdom. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that the charges follow an investigation into incidents reported at a property in the prestigious Mayfair district of London.
Who is Vijay Aggarwal and what are the specific charges against him?
As reported by India Today and corroborated by reports from the Hindustan Times and The Times of India, Vijay Aggarwal, 57, is a prominent advocate based in Delhi, frequently involved in high-stakes legal battles, most notably the defense of Mehul Choksi, who is wanted in India in connection with the Punjab National Bank fraud case.
According to the Metropolitan Police, as cited by ANI, the investigation into Aggarwal began after officers were called to a property on Brick Street, Mayfair, on August 11, 2026. The Times of India further detailed that the location was a four-storey, five-bedroom serviced luxury townhouse.
The police allege that Aggarwal committed three counts of sexual assault against a woman on Sunday, August 9, and one additional count on Tuesday, May 26. These charges are brought under Section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, which pertains to the intentional touching of another person in a sexual manner without their consent.
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What role does Manpreet Kaur play in the allegations?
Alongside the lawyer, his personal assistant, 41-year-old Manpreet Kaur, also faces serious legal repercussions. As reported by The Times of India, Kaur has been charged with two counts of
“intentionally encouraging or assisting the commission of a sexual assault offence.”
These charges specifically relate to the same dates as the allegations against Aggarwal—May 26 and August 9. According to The Times of India, prosecutors allege that Kaur facilitated these incidents by introducing two women to Aggarwal and inviting them to the Mayfair property under the premise of a “false job advertisement.”
What is the current status of the legal proceedings?
As detailed by the Press Trust of India (PTI), both Aggarwal and Kaur were arrested on August 11 and subsequently charged on August 13. They appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court later that same day, where they were remanded in custody. Their next scheduled court appearance is a plea and trial preparation hearing at Southwark Crown Court on September 10, 2026.
In addition to the primary suspects, the Metropolitan Police confirmed to ANI that two other individuals—a 23-year-old man and a 43-year-old woman—were arrested on August 11 during the police operation at the Mayfair address. Both have been released on bail while police continue their enquiries.
The Metropolitan Police also noted that the two women who reported the sexual assaults are currently receiving support from specialist officers.
How has the legal team reacted to the reports?
There has been a vocal response from associates of the accused. According to ANI, individuals close to Vijay Aggarwal have strongly objected to the manner in which the detention has been reported in certain media outlets.
These associates stated that there is “nothing on record or in their knowledge” to substantiate claims involving the recovery of money or other speculative details. Furthermore, the associates emphasized that the allegations form part of an ongoing criminal investigation and have not yet been tested in a court of law. They maintained that Aggarwal is
“presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in accordance with law”.
What is the context regarding Mehul Choksi’s cases?
Vijay Aggarwal has been a central figure in the legal representation of Mehul Choksi, who is accused alongside his nephew, Nirav Modi, of defrauding the Punjab National Bank of approximately ₹13,500 crore.
As reported by The Times of India, Choksi has been held in custody in Antwerp, Belgium, since April 2025, following an extradition request from the Indian government. Aggarwal has frequently acted as his legal counsel, addressing media outlets and managing the legal strategy across various jurisdictions since Choksi fled India in 2018. These new criminal charges in the UK add a significant layer of complexity to the legal landscape surrounding the lawyer and his high-profile client.
