High-profile criminal cases often capture public attention because of the dramatic courtroom theatrics, but the personal downfall of the legal counsel involved adds a starkly different layer of gravity. Delhi advocate Vijay Aggarwal, widely recognized for representing fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi in complex fraud and money laundering proceedings, now finds himself at the center of a severe criminal prosecution in the United Kingdom.
London courts revealed that Aggarwal, currently detained in a south-west London prison, faces grave allegations including rape, sexual assault, and facilitating travel for exploitation. This unfolding legal battle moves far beyond standard extradition and white-collar defense work, exposing disturbing details about alleged abuse of power across international borders.
The Charges and the London Court Proceedings
The Crown Prosecution Service formally lodged multiple charges against the 57-year-old lawyer following his arrest in August at a luxury Mayfair townhouse located on Brick Street. Alongside accusations of non-consensual sexual touching and rape, prosecutors added charges relating to arranging or facilitating the travel of another person with a view to exploitation.
During hearings at Westminster Magistrates' Court and Southwark Crown Court, details emerged outlining what presiding Justice John Milne termed a planned recruitment campaign. Investigators allege that Aggarwal used sham personal assistant job postings to target and draw young women to the U.K., specifically seeking out candidates he believed were vulnerable or compliant.
His co-accused, assistant Manpreet Kaur, remains imprisoned under similar charges, while a third individual named Hara Tibrewala appeared in court to plead not guilty before being granted conditional bail. All three defendants are scheduled to face a pre-trial hearing at Southwark Crown Court, with the main trial fixed for March 2027.
Defense Strategy and Bail Denial
Senior defense counsel Sasha Wass attempted to secure freedom for Aggarwal by presenting him as a man of outstanding character and professional reputation. Despite these assertions, the bench denied bail due to compelling flight risks.
Justice Milne noted that as a citizen and resident of India with minimal community ties in Britain, the accused possessed every incentive to leave the jurisdiction to evade prosecution. The judge explicitly highlighted that Aggarwal held no legitimate professional necessity for employing a personal assistant in London, pointing instead to a calculated pattern of behavior.
Legal observers note that defending high-profile clients like Mehul Choksi places advocates under intense public scrutiny, but this case shifts the spotlight entirely onto the personal conduct of the legal practitioner rather than corporate financial crimes.
Broader Implications for Legal Professionals Abroad
Incidents involving international travel by legal professionals highlight the strict boundaries of jurisdiction and cross-border law enforcement cooperation. British authorities continue to build their case utilizing anonymous witness protections for the primary complainants involved.
As the case moves toward its scheduled trial date in 2027, the defense team must confront a rigorous crown prosecution file built on digital communications, travel records, and testimony. For the legal community in both India and the United Kingdom, the proceedings serve as a stark reminder that professional status offers no immunity from domestic criminal statutes.
Make sure you follow developments closely through official court dockets as pre-trial motions unfold in London.
