Actor Celina Jaitly recently received a big relief in the matter related to her brother, Maj. (Rtd.) Vikrant Kumar Jaitly, an Indian Army official who has been detained in the UAE for a year. He was allegedly detained in the UAE since September 2024 over national security concerns. The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to inform Retired Major Vikrant in the next consular access that his sister Celina wants to communicate with him. The High Court also asked the Ministry to facilitate her communication with her brother
Celina reacts to HC order
Taking to Instagram, Celina shared a family photo of her and her brother along with their parents and wrote, “Ma & Pa.. I am doing my best! I Haven’t Spoken to Vikrant in 15 Months. Today, Hope Was Placed on Record.. Thank you, Universe !! My petition seeking access to and legal representation for my brother, Maj (Retd) Vikrant Kumar Jaitly, who has been abducted and detained in the UAE since 6 Sep 2024, was heard by the Hon’ble Delhi High Court today.”
She added, “The Ministry of External Affairs filed its Status Report and appointed a Nodal Officer to coordinate with me for access to my brother. While I still haven’t been able to speak to Vikrant, it’s been 15 months now. The Additional Solicitor General, Govt of India, Sr Adv Chetan Sharma apprised the Court that they will make their best efforts to get me to speak to Vikrant.”
She concluded the note saying, “The Hon’ble Judge directed the Ministry to make efforts to facilitate my access to speak to Vikrant. I’m grateful to Ld. ASG, the Court and those who recognised my suffering and acknowledged our family’s 4 generations of contributions to the Indian armed forces. The next date in Court is 23 Dec. I look forward to the next steps optimistically. At this time, I will not be able to answer any questions from members of the media or press. They may kindly contact the leading counsel on my case from India, Mr Raghav Kacker, Kacker & Co., who is leading & assisting me in navigating these very challenging times.”
Speaking to ANI outside the court earlier on Thursday, Celina shared her reaction, saying, “It has been 15 long months. I am very happy about today`s court directions, which will allow me to see and contact my brother.”
HC orders MEA to facilitate Celina`s contact with her brother
On Thursday, the Delhi High Court directed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to inform Retired Major Vikrant in the next consular access that his sister Celina wants to talk to him. The High Court also directed the Ministry to facilitate her communication with him through the TAMM App or by any other mode.
Justice Sachin Datta, after giving the direction, called for a fresh status report from the Central Government. The bench also perused the status report filed by the MEA. It was informed that pursuant to the previous directions, a nodal officer has been appointed by the Central Government.
During the hearing, Jaitly broke down, and she was consoled by her counsel. It was also submitted that she is not able to talk to her brother through the TAMM (UAE government App) as she is not a citizen. Only UAE citizens can use the app.
The matter has now been listed for December 23. On November 3, the Delhi High Court issued notice to the Ministry of External Affairs on a plea moved by Celina Jaitly. Her brother Maj. (Rtd.) Vikrant Kumar Jaitly has been in detention in Abu Dhabi, UAE, since 2024. She approached the Delhi High Court seeking a direction to the Indian authorities to provide legal and medical assistance to her brother.
(With inputs from ANI)
