Lawyer who represented Mehul Choksi faces rape charges in U.K.
Indian lawyer Vijay Aggarwal, known for representing fugitive Mehul Choksi, faces new rape and human trafficking charges in the U.K. A London court denied him bail, citing the risk of flight and the severity of the allegations.
Why it matters
The case involves a high-profile legal figure accused of exploiting vulnerable individuals, drawing international attention to legal ethics and human trafficking.
Indian lawyer Vijay Aggarwal, behind bars in London on charges of sexual assault, has also been accused of rape, it emerged after a court hearing in the U.K. on Friday (October 10, 2026).
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) referenced the new charges against the 57-year-old along with a charge of “arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation”.
While his assistant Manpreet Kaur, also in a London prison, faces a similar charge, a third accused in the case appeared before Westminster Magistrates’ Court here on Friday charged with a similar offence, which he denies.
Hara Tibrewala spoke to confirm his name and plead "not guilty" as a three-judge bench granted him bail under strict conditions.
Aggarwal, Kaur and Tibrewala are now due to appear before Southwark Crown Court on November 6 for a pre-trial hearing.
Also covering this story
One other newsroom covered this event. We read that version too.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in