Prominent Indian criminal defense lawyer Vijay Aggarwal has been arrested in London's Mayfair district on multiple counts of sexual assault, alongside his personal assistant.

  • Prominent advocate Vijay Aggarwal arrested in Mayfair, London.
  • Charged with four counts of sexual assault.
  • Personal assistant Manpreet Kaur arrested for assisting the offense.
  • Accused to appear at Southwark Crown Court on September 10.

In a significant development that has sent shockwaves through the legal community, prominent Indian criminal lawyer Vijay Aggarwal has been arrested by the London Metropolitan Police. The 57-year-old advocate, known for his high-stakes defense in major Indian financial scams, was taken into custody from an affluent property in Mayfair, West End.

The arrest follows reports of sexual assaults allegedly occurring on May 26 and August 9 at a residence on Brick Street. Alongside Aggarwal, his 41-year-old personal assistant, Manpreet Kaur, was also apprehended. Kaur faces charges of intentionally encouraging or assisting the commission of an 'either way offence,' a legal classification in the UK that allows for trial in either a magistrate's or crown court.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this arrest is particularly impactful due to Aggarwal's stature in the legal fraternity. Having defended some of India's most controversial figures in white-collar crime cases, his legal troubles in a foreign jurisdiction like the UK could have significant implications for his ongoing practice and reputation globally.

The formal charging of an individual in the UK signifies that prosecutors believe there is sufficient evidence to initiate a full criminal trial.

Aggarwal's career has been defined by representing heavyweights in the Indian justice system. He rose to national prominence during the 2G spectrum allocation case. His client list is a 'who's who' of Indian legal controversies, including fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, ICICI-Videocon scam accused Deepak Kochhar, and former Yes Bank MD Rana Kapoor.

The legal proceedings have already commenced. Following their appearance at the Westminster Magistrates’ Court, both Aggarwal and Kaur were remanded in custody. They are scheduled to appear before the Southwark Crown Court on September 10.

While the police have also questioned a 23-year-old man and a 43-year-old woman in connection with the Mayfair property, they have been released on bail pending further enquiries. Authorities have maintained strict confidentiality regarding the identities of the complainants, ensuring they receive support from specialist officers.

Did You Know?: In the United Kingdom, an 'either way offence' is a crime that can be tried in either a lower magistrates' court or a higher crown court, depending on its severity.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is Vijay Aggarwal?
He is a prominent Delhi-based criminal lawyer famous for defending high-profile clients in major financial scams like the 2G and Nirav Modi cases.

2. What are the charges against Manpreet Kaur?
She has been charged with two counts of intentionally encouraging or assisting the commission of an offence.