For over a year, actress Celina Jaitly has been tirelessly seeking answers and fighting for the release of her brother, Major (Retd.) Vikrant Kumar Jaitly, an Indian Army veteran who has been detained in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) since September 6, 2024. In a heartfelt statement, Jaitly expressed the anguish and uncertainty her family has endured during this prolonged period.
Jaitly's ordeal has prompted her to file a petition with the Delhi High Court, claiming her brother was "illegally abducted and detained". She stated that for over a year, she has been unable to obtain basic information regarding his well-being and legal status, despite repeated appeals to Indian authorities. She learned of his detention three weeks after it occurred from his wife. According to the petition, Vikrant has been residing in the UAE since 2016 and was employed by the MATITI Group, a company involved in trading, consultancy, and risk management services.
The Delhi High Court has responded to Jaitly's plea by directing the central government to ensure that her brother receives effective legal representation. Justice Sachin Datta also instructed authorities to facilitate communication between Jaitly and her brother, acknowledging her as his "sole surviving immediate blood relative". The court has requested a response from the government by December 4, 2025.
During the hearing, the government counsel stated that Indian authorities in the UAE have granted consular access to Vikrant. However, Jaitly's counsel countered that she has been unable to communicate with her brother despite numerous attempts. Consequently, Justice Datta directed authorities to facilitate contact between Vikrant and his wife, in addition to his sister. The court has also mandated the appointment of a nodal officer to liaise with UAE authorities and provide regular updates to Jaitly and her family regarding Vikrant's status and legal proceedings.
Jaitly's legal team, consisting of advocates Raghav Kacker, Ribhav Pande, and Madhav Aggarwal, argued that the extended detention without proper legal representation or regular communication violates Vikrant's fundamental human rights and international diplomatic norms. Jaitly's petition emphasizes the severe mental anguish Vikrant has suffered due to his prolonged detention, which has allegedly led to cognitive decline and other serious medical issues.
The Delhi High Court's intervention offers a "ray of hope" to Jaitly, who has described the court's decision as "the light at the end of the dark tunnel". She has been fighting for justice for 14 months. The court's efforts aim to ensure Vikrant's rights are protected and that he is treated in accordance with international law and conventions on consular access. The case is being closely monitored, with a detailed status report expected from the government before the next hearing on December 4, 2025.
