TOI correspondent from London: Indian criminal lawyer Vijay Aggarwal and his co-defendant, his personal assistant Manpreet Kaur, appeared in the dock at Southwark crown court on Thursday where the pair are facing charges relating to sexual offences against women in Britain.Aggarwal had represented fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi.Kaur entered in a flowery blouse looking morose. Aggarwal followed in a grey tracksuit and cardigan and surveyed the packed public gallery. Their families watched via video link from India.Delhi-born Aggarwal (57) currently faces four counts of sexually assaulting women between May and Aug 2026 at 29 Brick Street in London’s posh Mayfair area, where he was staying. Kaur (41), also staying there, faces two charges of intentionally encouraging or assisting the commission of sexual assault by luring women to an address and introducing them to Aggarwal after posting a false job advert. The court was told there are three complainants.The pair, both Indian nationals, were due to be arraigned on Thursday but Oliver Weetch, prosecuting, said “no indictment has yet been lodged by the Crown. The prosecution say it’s a complex investigation. There are ongoing enquiries in relation to at least one other complainant and the possibility of other defendants. Given these ongoing inquiries, we request the deferral of the plea and trial preparation hearing (PTPH) so that the final indictment can be lodged”.Sasha Wass, representing Aggarwal, said her client is of “exemplary character and has been in Wandsworth prison for weeks”, and that she wants to make a bail application “but has not seen all the charges”. “There could be more charges,” she said, explaining Aggarwal was interviewed about another allegation on Wednesday. “We are concerned about a more vague assertion that police want to interview a group of people, some of whom have not been identified,” she said. “The Crown should say how realistic it is that this is going to grow in size.” She also demanded the prosecution provide a written document setting out its objections to bail.Kathryn Drummond, representing Kaur, said: “She is a lady of exemplary character. Her son has flown over to support her in these proceedings.”Judge Nathaniel Rudolf gave the prosecution until Sept 17 to submit its indictment, its written objections to bail and a note on the status of the investigation. The PTPH will now take place on Sept 23. A four-week trial is slated to commence on March 15, 2027.
