PNB Scam: Lawyer Who Will Defend Nirav Modi Represented 2G Accused

Vijay Aggarwal, the counsel for several high profile clients, is not new to controversies.

Advocate Vijay Aggarwal has represented a number of accused persons in the 2G spectrum allocation scam case.

(Photo: ANI)

Vijay Aggarwal – the advocate who had represented a number of high-profile accused persons in the 2G spectrum case – will now represent jeweller Nirav Modi in the Punjab National Bank fraud case.

Aggarwal has had a long legal career, but apparently tainted with brawls. In fact, in one of the first TV interviews on the PNB case, he tried to defend his client Modi, but rather angrily.

On Wednesday, 21 February, Aggarwal refuted news reports that his client was absconding. He said that he was out of India for “business purposes.” He further said that Modi was innocent – and the case was likely to collapse like Bofors and 2G.

Like the 2G scam and Bofors matter, this case will also collapse. Agencies are making noises in the media, but they will not be able to prove the charges in a court of law. I am sure Nirav Modi will not be found guilty.

Vijay Aggarwal to PTI

When asked about Modi’s whereabouts, Aggarwal retorted by saying, “Why would anyone flee the country leaving behind assets worth over Rs 5,000 crore?”

Aggarwal not a First-Timer to Controversies

Aggarwal has been the counsel for several high profile clients. He is not new to controversies.

He is the same lawyer who had represented a number of high-profile accused persons in the 2G spectrum case in 2011, according to News18. He had appeared for Swan Telecom promoters Shahid Usman Balwa, Vinod Goenka and others associated in the case.

Aggarwal has been the counsel for former Orissa High Court judge IM Quddussi, who had moved court to seek a probe into the alleged leak of certain phone conversations.

But Aggarwal’s show of anger in the court premises has been a cause for concern in the past.

In 2013, Aggarwal was expelled from the New Delhi Bar Association (NDBA) for his alleged abusive behaviour, PTI reported. His chamber at Patiala House Court complex was also sealed on account of his alleged misconduct.

On 1 March 2013, Aggarwal had allegedly threatened a lawyer and also called some bouncers in the court premises. This was followed by a general body meeting of the NDBA to discuss the issue of "abusing, threatening and unethical behaviour" of Aggarwal. However, the advocate refuted all these allegations as “false.”

The NDBA had said that it had been unanimously resolved in the meeting that it would recommend to the Bar Council of Delhi to cancel Aggarwal’s registration as an advocate.

According to Bar members, advocate Bipin Dubey, who was the treasurer of NDBA, was “receiving threatening phone calls from Vijay Aggarwal to withdraw the case registered against him.”

In 2011, the Bar Council of Delhi slapped a showcase notice to Aggarwal asking him to explain how a practicing advocate could indulge in two professions – chartered accountancy and advocacy, DNA reported.

(With inputs from News18, DNA, PTI)

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