Delhi High Court directs government to secure legal aid for Celina Jaitly’s brother detained in UAE

Celina Jaitly with her brother

The Delhi High Court has intervened in the case of Celina Jaitly’s brother, and issued directions to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and other Union bodies to ensure he receives effective legal representation and that his family is kept fully informed about his status. The order comes in response to a petition filed by Celina concerning the detention of her brother, Major (Retd.) Vikrant Kumar Jaitly, in the United Arab Emirates since September 2024.

Justice Sachin Datta, who heard the matter on November 3 with Celina appearing in court, issued notice to the Union of India and directed them to appoint a nodal officer to act as a communication bridge between the family and the UAE authorities. The bench emphasised that the detained Indian national must receive proper legal representation and that the family must receive updates on his condition and legal status.

Celina Jaitly informed the court that she has been unable to speak with her brother since his alleged detention on September 6, 2024, and that only limited consular contact has occurred. As per her petition, Major Jaitly had lived in the UAE since 2016 and was working with a trading and risk-management firm when he was taken into custody under unclear circumstances.

During the hearing, the court directed the government to file a detailed status report ahead of the next hearing scheduled for December 4, 2025. A statement shared by Bar & Bench summarised the order, stating, “Court- An attempt shall be made to ensure that contact between the petitioner and her brother is made and detained person and his wife. Let a status report be filed. Depute a nodal office and apprise the family members as regards to the status of the detained and legal proceedings in UAE. Nodal officer to give updates to the family.”

On Bhai Dooj this year, Celina Jaitly posted a touching message for her brother.

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