Bollywood actor Celina Jaitly’s brother detained in UAE has become the subject of fresh Delhi High Court scrutiny. On Tuesday, the court asked the Centre whether it could facilitate direct interaction with Maj (Retd) Vikrant Kumar Jaitly, who has been in detention in the United Arab Emirates since September 2024.
The court directed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) counsel to coordinate with the ministry and the Indian Consulate to make this interaction possible. News agency ANI reported the development, marking the latest chapter in a case that has dragged on for over five months without resolution.
Celina was spotted exiting the Delhi High Court on Tuesday afternoon but chose not to speak to the media. The court has explicitly instructed all parties involved to refrain from media interactions without prior permission.
What Is the Latest Update on Celina Jaitly’s Brother Case?
The High Court has scheduled the next hearing for February 12, 2025. This comes just days after the court welcomed a significant development—a UAE-based legal firm agreeing to represent Vikrant Jaitly free of cost.
Last week, the Delhi High Court directed the MEA to issue orders permitting Al Maree Partners, a Dubai and Abu Dhabi-based law firm, to handle the case pro bono. The firm was suggested by Celina’s legal team, led by advocate Raghav Kacker, along with advocates Madhav Agrawal and Suradhish Vats.
According to court submissions, Al Maree Partners obtained case details independently and expressed willingness to represent the retired army officer without charging any fees.
Why Is Celina Jaitly’s Brother Detained in UAE?
The circumstances surrounding UAE detention of Indian citizens like Vikrant Jaitly remain unclear. Celina’s petition to the Delhi High Court claims her brother was “illegally abducted and detained” in the UAE in September 2024.
What troubles the family most? Despite more than five months passing, the Indian government hasn’t secured even basic information about Vikrant’s welfare or legal status in the UAE.
The actor’s petition highlights the Centre’s failure to provide answers. This lack of information has left the family in limbo, unable to understand the charges against him or his current condition.
Court’s Previous Directives on the Case
This isn’t the first time the Delhi High Court has intervened. On November 3, 2024, the court had already directed the Union Ministry of External Affairs to take concrete steps.
Those orders included providing legal assistance to Vikrant, facilitating communication between the siblings, and appointing a nodal officer specifically for this case. Yet, months later, the situation appears largely unchanged.
The appointment of Al Maree Partners marks the first tangible progress in legal representation. However, the fundamental question remains unanswered—when will Vikrant Jaitly get to tell his side of the story?
Will February 12 Bring Answers for Detained Indians Abroad?
With the February 12 hearing approaching, all eyes are on whether the MEA can successfully arrange the court’s requested interaction with Vikrant. Such communication could finally shed light on his detention conditions and the legal proceedings against him in the UAE.
For Celina Jaitly, who has been fighting this battle since September, the court’s latest order offers a glimmer of hope. The question is whether diplomatic channels can move fast enough to bring answers—and possibly freedom—to her brother.
What does this mean for Indian citizens detained abroad? The case highlights broader concerns about UAE detention and the challenges families face when loved ones are held without clear legal recourse. Vikrant Jaitly’s situation underscores the gaps in consular assistance and the lengthy processes that leave families struggling for basic information.
