Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Indian criminal lawyer Vijay Aggarwal, who has represented fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi, was reportedly arrested by British immigration authorities in London over immigration violations. However, people close to Aggarwal and his family have strongly disputed reports linking the matter to any cash recovery or financial wrongdoing.
According to a report by WIC News, British immigration authorities have held an Indian criminal advocate for the past three days. The matter reportedly relates to a property in Mayfair, one of London’s most expensive areas.
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The report alleged that Aggarwal was working in the United Kingdom without the required work permit and may have violated other immigration regulations. The matter came to the authorities’ attention after a complaint was made by the landlord of the Mayfair property in May. British immigration officials then reportedly began examining the lawyer’s activities in the country.
Three to four junior lawyers were also reportedly present at the property when the inspection took place.
The report further claimed that authorities found a significant amount of cash during the inspection. However, the amount, ownership and source of the money remain unknown. No official document from the UK Home Office, Border Force, Metropolitan Police or a British court has been made public so far to confirm Aggarwal’s identity or arrest.
The allegations have raised questions over whether Aggarwal had permission to undertake professional work in the UK, how long he had been operating from London and what prompted the landlord’s reported complaint.
Aggarwal is widely known for representing Mehul Choksi, who is wanted by Indian authorities in connection with the multibillion-dollar Punjab National Bank fraud case. Court records show Aggarwal appearing as Choksi’s counsel before the Bombay High Court. He also represented Choksi after Belgian authorities arrested the businessman in April 2025.
Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi face allegations of involvement in a fraud of approximately US$1.8 billion. Both have denied the accusations.
Separate allegations circulating in sections of the media have claimed that Aggarwal may have assisted in managing Choksi’s undisclosed or “black money”. However, people close to the lawyer have rejected such claims.
LAWYER’S FAMILY REJECTS ARREST REPORTS
“There is nothing on record or in our knowledge to establish any recovery of money from Aggarwal or his involvement with any such funds. We strongly condemn the manner in which this matter is being reported and portrayed as a money-related case.
There is nothing on record to suggest any recovery of money from Vijay Aggarwal or his involvement with any such money,” a person close to Aggarwal told the news agency ANI.
People close to the lawyer also objected to the manner in which his arrest has been reported by sections of the media, saying there is “nothing on record or in their knowledge” to establish any recovery of money from him or his involvement in any such fraud.
Family members of Aggarwal said the matter should be reported only on the basis of verified information. They also objected to linking the arrest to unverified claims about cash recovery.
Aggarwal has not publicly commented on the matter so far. People close to him said the circumstances surrounding the arrest should not be linked to unverified claims of cash recovery.
– Ends
With agency inputs.
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
