Arrest and Charges
Vijay Aggarwal, a criminal lawyer who has represented fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi in fraud and money laundering proceedings, has been charged with four counts of sexual assault following his arrest in London. The Metropolitan Police said officers attended a property in Brick Street, Mayfair, on Tuesday, August 11, in connection with reports of sexual assaults at the address. Aggarwal was arrested at the scene, and his assistant, Manpreet Kaur, was also taken into custody, according to The Hindu.
Both were charged on Thursday, August 13, and appeared before Westminster Magistrates' Court, where they were remanded in custody. The court heard that the alleged offences date back to May 26 and August 9. Aggarwal's next hearing is scheduled at Southwark Crown Court on September 10. In addition to Aggarwal and Kaur, two other individuals—a 23-year-old man and a 43-year-old woman—were arrested at the same property but have been released on bail pending further enquiries. Two women who reported the assaults continue to be supported by specialist officers, according to the report.
The 29 Brick Street property is listed as a 'Mayfair Residence Townhouse', offering luxury apartments for rent near Hyde Park, as described by The Hindu.
Indian Agencies' Involvement
Separately, Indian enforcement agencies are monitoring the case, as reported by the Free Press Journal. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) are awaiting an official report from British authorities before deciding whether the UK investigation warrants any action in India. Officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the agencies have established contact with their UK counterparts to obtain preliminary information. The CBI is examining whether the material indicates any financial fraud, criminal conspiracy, or other cognisable offence; the ED is assessing potential money-laundering implications under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The reports note that sexual-assault charges are separate from any financial investigation, but the reported details of a cash recovery from Aggarwal's rented Mayfair residence have drawn scrutiny. According to the Free Press Journal, British authorities reportedly recovered an unverified amount of cash during a UK immigration-related investigation. The exact amount, ownership, and source of the money remain unclear and have not been independently established. There is speculation among Indian officials that the funds could be linked to a prominent absconding accused tied to a betting exchange, a former associate of Saurabh Chandrakar and a client of Aggarwal, or to a wider network of absconding economic offenders, potentially including Mehul Choksi.
However, Aggarwal's family and legal team have disputed the reports linking his detention to illegal cash or financial wrongdoing, maintaining that there is no such finding on the judicial record. Neither the ED nor the CBI has initiated formal proceedings against Aggarwal in connection with the reported cash recovery, as per the Free Press Journal. Official reports from British authorities have not yet been formally shared to date.
Context and Reactions
Aggarwal, who entered the UK on a standard visitor visa, came under scrutiny for alleged unauthorised legal work and business activities, according to the Free Press Journal. The Indian agency reports rely heavily on anonymous sources familiar with the financial assessment, highlighting the preliminary nature of the information. The Hindu's report focuses on the criminal charges and the high-profile nature of Aggarwal's clientele, quoting Metropolitan Police statements.
The existence of separate proceedings, the reported cash recovery from his residence, and the allegations of sexual assault create parallel questions, with Indian agencies awaiting official details before deciding on any further legal steps.