Vijay Aggarwal, the lawyer representing fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi, has been arrested and remanded in custody in London. While earlier reports suggested immigration violations, official records confirm he faces four counts of sexual assault involving two women. This development raises questions about the status of ongoing high-profile financial fraud cases where he serves as legal counsel.
Vijay Aggarwal, a prominent Indian criminal lawyer best known for representing fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi, has been arrested in London and is currently in police custody. While initial reports speculated that the arrest was linked to immigration violations and property-related issues, verified records confirm that Aggarwal faces four counts of sexual assault against two women.
His personal assistant, Manpreet Kaur, was also arrested in connection with the case. She has been charged with two counts of intentionally encouraging or assisting in the commission of these sexual assault offences. Both individuals appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on August 13, 2026, and have been remanded in custody as legal proceedings move forward.
A hearing for the case is scheduled for September 10, 2026, at Southwark Crown Court. The shift in information from alleged immigration issues to formal criminal charges marks a significant change in the nature of the legal situation surrounding the lawyer.
For followers of Indian financial crime cases, this development carries weight because of Aggarwal’s role in high-stakes litigation. He has been a key defense counsel for Mehul Choksi, who is a primary accused in the massive Punjab National Bank fraud case. Choksi, along with others, is alleged to have been involved in defrauding the bank of approximately $1.8 billion. Aggarwal has represented Choksi in various legal forums, including appearances in the Bombay High Court and in proceedings following earlier developments in Belgium.
The arrest and subsequent detention of a lead defense lawyer often introduce uncertainty regarding the continuity of legal strategies in complex, long-running fraud cases. With Aggarwal remanded in custody, legal observers and stakeholders involved in these proceedings will be tracking whether this affects the timeline or the quality of legal representation in the ongoing cases involving Choksi. The primary monitorable for those tracking these financial crime cases will be the appointment of new legal counsel or any delays in court schedules resulting from the sudden unavailability of the current defense team.