In a significant development for Bollywood actor Celina Jaitly and her family, the Delhi High Court has directed the central government to ensure legal representation and facilitate communication for her brother, Major (Retd.) Vikrant Kumar Jaitly, who has been detained in the United Arab Emirates for over 14 months. The actor, present in court during the hearing, described the order as “the light at the end of the dark tunnel” after her prolonged fight for justice.
Court’s Directive: A Lifeline After 14-Month Struggle
In a hearing on Monday before Justice Sachin Datta, the Delhi High Court issued several crucial directions to address what Celina Jaitly’s petition termed the “illegal abduction and detention” of her brother in the UAE since September 6, 2024.
The court specifically ordered the authorities to “take steps to provide effective legal representation” to Major Jaitly regarding his arrest and detention abroad. This legal assistance had been a primary demand in Celina Jaitly’s petition, which argued that the Union Ministry of External Affairs had failed to secure basic information about her brother’s welfare and legal status for over a year.
Family Communication Facilitated
Recognizing the family’s anguish, the court directed the government to make concerted efforts to facilitate contact between the detained former army officer and his family members. The specific directives included:
- Ensuring communication between Major Jaitly and his sister, Celina Jaitly
- Facilitating contact between Major Jaitly and his wife
- Appointing a nodal officer to regularly update the family on his status and legal proceedings
“The respondent shall depute a nodal officer for the above purpose and also to apprise the petitioner and other family members of the detainee as regards the status of the detainee and the legal proceedings. Let the nodal officer provide regular updates to the petitioner and other family members,” Justice Datta stated in the order.
During the hearing, the government’s counsel confirmed that Indian authorities in the UAE had granted consular access to Major Jaitly. However, Celina Jaitly’s legal team countered that despite several attempts, she had been unable to communicate with her brother throughout his detention.
A Long Battle for Information
Major Vikrant Kumar Jaitly, a retired officer from the Indian Army’s 3 Para Special Forces and recipient of the COAS Commendation for Gallantry, had been residing in the UAE since 2016. He was employed with the MATITI Group, which operates in trading, consultancy, and risk management services.
According to the petition filed by Celina Jaitly, her brother was “illegally abducted and detained” in the UAE. The plea stated that the Union Ministry of External Affairs had failed to secure basic information about his welfare conditions and legal status despite the passage of over a year.
The actress revealed she had been denied even a single phone call or verified communication with her brother throughout his detention. She had exhausted various administrative avenues, including lodging complaints on the government’s MADAD portal and approaching the Indian Embassy in the UAE, but received no substantial updates about his condition.
Related Coverage: For more information on consular protection for Indians abroad, visit the Official MADAD Portal of the Ministry of External Affairs.
Celina Jaitly’s Emotional Response
Following the court hearing, an emotional Celina Jaitly shared her thoughts on social media, expressing both relief and cautious optimism.
“I write this from the gates of the esteemed Delhi High Court with immense gratitude, as after an arduous 14 months I have finally reached the light at the end of the dark tunnel,” she posted on X (formerly Twitter).
She described the court’s intervention as a “ray of hope” in her ongoing battle to secure her brother’s rights and well-being. Addressing her brother directly in her social media post, she wrote, “You fought for us, bhai, now it’s time for us to stand behind you”.
The actor emphasized her trust in the Indian government to protect her brother, noting his background as a fourth-generation soldier from a family of war veterans who had “devoted his youth to serving the nation”.
Legal Context and Government’s Role
The case highlights the broader issue of consular protection for Indian citizens detained abroad and the government’s role in ensuring their rights.
Celina Jaitly’s petition argued that the government bears a “continuing constitutional and moral duty to extend protection and assistance to its citizens who are detained in foreign jurisdictions”. It further stated that the government “cannot remain a passive observer when an Indian citizen is deprived of liberty abroad,” and is required to “actively secure his basic rights, medical care, and legal representation through diplomatic and consular channels”.
The court has now directed the government to file a detailed status report on the matter by December 4, 2025, the next date of hearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Celina Jaitly’s brother detained in the UAE?
While exact charges remain unclear from available reports, the court was informed that Major Vikrant Kumar Jaitly’s detention relates to “national security concerns”. Specific details about the case have not been publicly disclosed.
What is the Delhi High Court’s role in this matter?
As an Indian citizen detained abroad, Major Jaitly falls under the protection of Indian authorities. The Delhi High Court is hearing a petition filed by Celina Jaitly seeking the government’s assistance in ensuring her brother’s rights to legal representation, medical care, and communication with family members.
How has the Indian government responded to the situation?
The government has confirmed that consular access has been granted to Major Jaitly. However, before the court’s intervention, the family reported insufficient information and communication barriers. The court has now directed more proactive government involvement.
What happens next in this case?
The Delhi High Court has listed the matter for next hearing on December 4, 2025. By this date, the government must file its status report detailing steps taken to provide legal representation and facilitate family communication.
Who is Major Vikrant Kumar Jaitly?
Major (Retd.) Vikrant Kumar Jaitly is a former officer of the Indian Army’s 3 Para Special Forces and a recipient of the COAS Commendation for Gallantry. He served in a UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon before working in the UAE with a trading and risk-management firm.
A Cautiously Hopeful Path Forward
The Delhi High Court’s intervention in the case of Major Vikrant Kumar Jaitly represents a significant development for Indian citizens detained abroad. It reinforces the government’s responsibility to actively protect the rights of its citizens in foreign jurisdictions, particularly when they lack access to legal resources and communication with their families.
For Celina Jaitly and her family, the court’s order marks a potential turning point in their 14-month struggle for information and justice. As she aptly stated, it provides a “ray of hope” that her brother’s case will now receive the attention and resolution it deserves.
The December 4 hearing will be crucial in determining whether this hope translates into concrete progress for a family awaiting reunion with their loved one.
Additional Resources: For information about legal resources for Indians abroad, consult the Directorate of Consular Passport and Visa on the Ministry of External Affairs website.
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