Bollywood actor Celina Jaitly has approached the Delhi High Court seeking urgent legal and medical assistance for her brother, Retired Major Vikrant Jaitly, who has been detained in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) since September 2024.
In her plea, Jaitly claimed that her brother was “illegally abducted and detained”, and despite repeated requests, the Indian authorities have not provided adequate updates about his welfare or legal status.
Centre’s Response
Appearing for the Centre, counsel Nidhi Raman informed the Delhi High Court that Major Vikrant Jaitly had been arrested in connection with a case in the UAE. Raman said that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is in regular contact with his wife and that consular access has been granted to him.
The exact nature of the case or charges against Vikrant Jaitly, however, has not yet been made public.
Details of the Case
According to reports, Major Vikrant Jaitly, who has been living in the UAE since 2016, was working with the MATITI Group, a company involved in trading, consultancy, and risk management services.
Celina Jaitly, represented by advocates Raghav Kacker, Ribhav Pande, and Madhav Aggarwal, told the court that despite more than a year of detention, she had not been able to establish any verified communication or phone contact with her brother.
Delhi High Court’s Direction
A bench of Justice Sachin Datta heard Jaitly’s petition and issued a notice to the Ministry of External Affairs, directing the government to ensure communication between the actor and her brother.
The court also asked the MEA to appoint a nodal officer to oversee the case and coordinate with UAE authorities.
“The respondents shall take steps to provide effective legal representation with respect to his arrest and detention. Let an attempt be made by the respondent to facilitate contact between the petitioner and her brother. The respondents are directed to appoint a nodal officer,” the court order stated.
What’s Next?
The Delhi High Court has sought a status update from the MEA in the coming weeks regarding steps taken to ensure legal representation and regular consular access for Major Jaitly.
The case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Indian nationals detained abroad and highlights the need for stronger diplomatic coordination in such matters.
