Mehul Choksi's lawyer arrested in London on sexual assault charges
New Delhi, Aug. 21 -- The Metropolitan Police in London on Thursday confirmed that criminal lawyer Vijay Aggarwal, who has represented fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi and several other accused in India, has been charged with four counts of sexual assault and was taken into custody on August 11 in London's Mayfair, an officer said, adding that he was remanded in custody until the next hearing in the matter at Southwark Crown Court on September 10.
In a reply to an email sent by HT, the Metropolitan police said, "On 11 August, officers visited a property in Brick Street, Mayfair in connection with reports of sexual assaults at the site. A 57-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman were arrested in relation with the incidents, which reportedly occurred on May 26 and August 9."
Besides Aggarwal, the other accused has been identified as his assistant Manpreet Kaur.
The statement said that both the individuals were charged on Thursday, August 13 and appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court later that day.
"They were remanded in custody to appear at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday, September 10," it added.
On specific charges against Aggarwal, the Metropolitan police said he was "charged with four counts of sexual assault". Kaur, the police said, was "charged with two counts of intentionally encouraging or assisting the commission of an either way offence, namely sexual assault".
It further said that two other individuals, a 23-year-old man and a 43-year-old woman, who were arrested on August 11, in connection with this investigation have been bailed pending further enquiries.
"Two women who reported the sexual assaults continue to be supported by specialist officers," the Metropolitan police added in its statement. HT contacted a close family member of Aggarwal on specific charges of the UK police but there was no response....
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