For Celina Jaitly, stepping back was never an option when it came to fighting for her brother, Major (Retd.) Vikrant Kumar Jaitly, who has been detained in the United Arab Emirates since September 2024. The Bollywood actor has been tirelessly working to secure his release, navigating a complex legal and diplomatic landscape.
Vikrant Jaitly, a former Indian Army Special Forces officer, was allegedly taken into custody in September 2024 in Dubai. According to Celina, he was picked up from the Mall of the Emirates parking area by unidentified individuals who asked for his Emirates ID. For nearly nine months, there was no formal arrest record, access to legal counsel, or communication with him, leaving Celina and her family in the dark. She stated that she "didn't even know where my brother was". It was only in June 2025 that she learned he had been moved to the Al-Wathba Detention Centre in Abu Dhabi.
Celina Jaitly has been vocal about the lack of information regarding the charges against her brother, his legal status, and his welfare. She has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for intervention, emphasizing that soldiers "are not just numbers" and that the nation must stand behind them. She stated that if her brother had done something wrong, there would have been a prosecution by now. In a message to her brother, she asserted her unwavering support, declaring, "Didi (Sister) is with you. The whole country is with you. I will move mountains to get you back".
Recently, Celina welcomed the Delhi High Court's order permitting the appointment of a UAE-based legal firm, Al Maree Partners, to represent her brother. The court directed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to facilitate the legal assistance and communication between the siblings and also to appoint a nodal officer to oversee the matter. This decision has brought renewed hope to her family after months of uncertainty and what she describes as an 18-month-long battle. She views the court's order as a restoration of his dignity and a major step forward in the legal battle.
Speaking to the media, Celina has expressed her frustration with the lack of response from the Indian mission in the UAE and the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi. Despite these challenges, she remains resolute in her fight for her brother's release and safe return to India. The next court date for the case is February 10.