Celina Jaitly Finds ‘Ray of Hope’ as Delhi High Court Seeks MEA Report on Detained Brother in UAE

November 4, 2025

New Delhi: Actor and former Miss India Celina Jaitly on Tuesday expressed cautious optimism after the Delhi High Court took cognisance of her petition concerning her brother, Major (Retd.) Vikrant Kumar Jaitly, who has been detained in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for over a year.

In a heartfelt post titled “Standing for a Soldier: A Ray of Hope from the Delhi High Court in the Case of Major (Retd.) Vikrant Kumar Jaitly,” Celina described the court’s intervention as “the first encouraging step” in her family’s prolonged battle for justice.

Court Seeks MEA Response

A bench led by Justice Sachin Datta issued a notice to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), directing it to file a detailed status report within four weeks. The report will outline the steps taken to ensure legal and medical assistance for the retired Army officer.

The next hearing is scheduled for December 4.

Allegations of Unlawful Detention

Celina’s petition alleges that her brother was abducted and unlawfully detained in Abu Dhabi over 14 months ago.

Despite repeated appeals, the family claims they have received little clarity about his condition or access to legal representation.

Her counsel, advocates Raghav Kacker and Madhav Agarwal, informed the court that Major Jaitly had been working in the UAE since 2016 with the MATITI Group, and that his health has reportedly declined, with signs of cognitive distress.

MEA Confirms Consular Access

The MEA told the court that Indian authorities had secured consular access to Major Jaitly on four occasions between May and September 2024. However, the family maintains that updates remain limited and that his continued detention lacks transparency.

Celina’s Emotional Plea

Calling the development a “lifeline,” Celina said the court’s action renewed her hope for justice.

“This fight is not only for my brother but for every Indian citizen detained abroad without fair legal representation or humane treatment,” she wrote, urging the government to enhance mechanisms to protect Indians overseas.

The case has sparked broader concern over the plight of Indian nationals detained abroad, highlighting the urgent need for stronger diplomatic intervention and legal support frameworks.