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 UK on Friday.
As a native and citizen of India, the judge noted that his family, business and life were based there with no “community ties” in the UK – a country he extensively travelled to recruit despite having no “legitimate basis” for him requiring a PA in London.
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. At a bail hearing in Southwark last month, Aggarwal – who has represented fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi in fraud and money laundering proceedings – was denied bail by Justice John Milne. Aggarwal, Kaur and Tibrewala are now due to appear before Southwark Crown Court on November 6 for a pre-trial hearing.
Hara Tibrewala spoke to confirm his name and plead “not guilty” as a three-judge bench granted him bail under strict conditions. In details that emerged in court, the Delhi advocate is accused of non-consensual “sexual touching” of a female and facilitating the travel of women with a “view to exploitation” – allegations the judge described as “deeply disturbing”.
