Bollywood actor Celina Jaitly is seeking judicial intervention in the ongoing detention of her brother, retired Major Vikrant Jaitley, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Vikrant Jaitley, a former officer in the Indian Army, has been held in detention in the UAE since September 2024, remaining in confinement for over fourteen months. The case has drawn attention due to its prolonged duration, limited transparency, and the concerns raised by Jaitly regarding the legal and medical assistance provided to her brother. Celina Jaitly has approached the Delhi High Court, seeking a direction to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to ensure that her brother receives the necessary legal and medical support and that she is able to maintain regular and real-time communication with him.

According to Celina Jaitly, her brother was illegally abducted and detained in the UAE in September 2024. She has emphasized that the extended detention has caused considerable distress to the family, particularly as no clear information regarding the charges or the legal proceedings against him has been shared. The actor has stated in her plea that despite repeated attempts, neither she nor her family has been able to obtain verifiable details of his legal status or well-being. This lack of transparency, coupled with the long duration of detention, prompted her to approach the court seeking judicial oversight to safeguard her brother’s rights and welfare.

In the proceedings at the Delhi High Court, the Centre’s counsel, Nidhi Raman, informed the court that Vikrant Jaitley had been arrested in connection with “a case.” While the specifics of this case have not been disclosed publicly, the counsel clarified that the Ministry of External Affairs remains in contact with Vikrant’s wife and has facilitated consular access to him. Despite this, the family has expressed concerns that the frequency and quality of consular engagement have been inadequate and insufficient for monitoring his health and legal situation.

Vikrant Jaitley has been residing in the UAE since 2016. During this period, he was employed with the MATITI Group, a company engaged in trading, consultancy, and risk management services. Reports indicate that he had established his life in the UAE over the past several years, with professional responsibilities and a stable living situation. The detention, therefore, not only disrupted his personal and professional life but also raised questions about the procedural safeguards and the legal framework applied in his case.

Celina Jaitly, accompanied by her legal team comprising advocates Raghav Kacker, Ribhav Pande, and Madhav Aggarwal, submitted her plea to a bench headed by Justice Sachin Datta. In her petition, she sought several forms of relief on behalf of her brother. First, she requested that the Indian authorities ensure effective legal assistance is made available to Vikrant Jaitley to enable him to contest the charges against him adequately. Second, she sought the facilitation of real-time and direct communication between her and her brother to enable the family to monitor his physical and mental well-being. Third, the plea emphasized the need for regular consular access by the Indian officials to ensure that his detention conditions comply with international norms and that his rights as a resident in a foreign country are protected.

In her submissions, Jaitly highlighted the prolonged period of detention, noting that her brother had been held in the UAE for over a year without meaningful updates or avenues for communication. She argued that the Centre had not provided her with basic information regarding her brother’s legal status or well-being, creating a situation of uncertainty and emotional distress for the family. Jaitly also pointed out that no phone calls or verifiable communication had been facilitated between them during the extended detention period, further exacerbating the family’s anxiety.

The Delhi High Court, after hearing arguments from both sides, issued a notice directing the Ministry of External Affairs to take immediate steps to facilitate communication between Celina Jaitly and her brother. The court also directed the MEA to appoint a nodal officer to oversee the case, ensuring that the family has a dedicated point of contact for monitoring legal and welfare-related developments. The order emphasized that the authorities should make efforts to provide effective legal representation for Vikrant Jaitley in connection with his arrest and detention, and facilitate contact between the petitioner and her brother.

The court’s directions are significant because they provide a structured mechanism for the Indian authorities to engage with the case actively. By appointing a nodal officer, the MEA is expected to coordinate between various stakeholders, including legal representatives, consular officials, and the family, to ensure that Vikrant Jaitley’s rights are protected and that his detention does not continue under conditions of ambiguity or neglect. The court order also implicitly recognizes the importance of monitoring the welfare and health of Indian citizens detained abroad, particularly in cases where information is not readily available.

The case has raised broader questions about the treatment of Indian nationals detained overseas, the role of consular access, and the responsibilities of the Indian government in safeguarding its citizens abroad. While the specifics of Vikrant Jaitley’s alleged offenses in the UAE remain undisclosed, the family has emphasized the urgent need for transparency and legal oversight. Celina Jaitly has publicly expressed concern that the lack of communication and clarity from both the UAE authorities and the Indian government has compounded the stress and anxiety faced by her family.

Detentions of Indian nationals abroad, particularly for extended periods without transparent legal processes, have been a matter of concern in diplomatic and legal circles. The Indian government typically relies on consular access, legal representation, and diplomatic channels to assist citizens facing detention in foreign countries. In this context, the Delhi High Court’s intervention in the case of Vikrant Jaitley underscores the judicial system’s willingness to ensure that the government fulfills its obligations toward citizens who face complex legal and administrative challenges abroad.

The MEA’s role in such cases is pivotal. It is tasked with providing consular assistance, monitoring the legal proceedings in the foreign jurisdiction, and ensuring that detainees have access to legal representation and essential services. By appointing a nodal officer, the Ministry can streamline communications between the family, the legal team, and foreign authorities, thereby mitigating the procedural challenges and emotional strain experienced by the detainee and their family.

Vikrant Jaitley’s detention also highlights the personal and professional impact of such cases on families. Having lived in the UAE for nearly a decade and established a professional career with the MATITI Group, his prolonged detention has disrupted his work, his family’s stability, and his personal life. The plea by Celina Jaitly emphasizes that the government’s role in ensuring proper legal and medical assistance is crucial, not only to protect her brother’s rights but also to preserve his dignity and safety during detention.

The court proceedings further reflect the challenges faced by families of Indian nationals detained abroad, especially when communication is restricted or delayed. In many such cases, families rely heavily on judicial intervention to ensure that the government provides timely updates and takes proactive steps to monitor the detainee’s condition. Celina Jaitly’s plea is an example of how affected families can seek recourse to ensure that their loved ones are not left in prolonged uncertainty or without adequate legal representation.

In conclusion, the detention of retired Major Vikrant Jaitley in the UAE has become a matter of significant concern for his family, particularly his sister, Celina Jaitly. The Delhi High Court has responded to the plea by directing the Ministry of External Affairs to facilitate communication, provide effective legal assistance, and appoint a nodal officer to oversee the case. While the exact nature of the charges against him in the UAE remains unclear, the court’s intervention ensures that measures are taken to protect his legal rights, monitor his well-being, and maintain transparency in the handling of his detention. The case highlights the critical role of both judicial oversight and governmental responsibility in safeguarding the rights of Indian citizens detained abroad, especially in complex legal and diplomatic situations.