Delhi High Court directs MEA to issue an order for legal representation of Celina Jaitly’s detained brother in the UAE

Delhi High Court directs MEA to issue order for legal representation of Celina Jaitly detained bro

• Delhi HC orders MEA to let legal firm represent Celina Jaitly's brother.
• Major Vikrant Jaitly detained in UAE since September 2024 under unclear reasons
• Court schedules next MEA review hearing for February 10, 2026.

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In a significant development for Bollywood actor Celina Jaitly, the Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to issue an order allowing a legal firm to represent her brother, Major (Retd.) Vikrant Kumar Jaitly, who has been detained in the United Arab Emirates since September 2024.

The direction came during a hearing before Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, who emphasised the need for effective legal representation for Major Jaitly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The firm identified for this purpose is Al Maree Partners, which has agreed to take on the case on a pro bono basis, meaning it would represent him free of cost.

Celina Jaitly had approached the court after repeated attempts to secure legal and consular assistance for her brother yielded little progress. In her petition, she alleged that Major Jaitly had been detained under unclear circumstances and that Indian authorities had failed to obtain even basic information about his welfare or legal status despite the passage of more than a year.

During the hearing, the court questioned the delay in issuing the necessary order for legal representation and instructed the MEA to either issue the authorization or submit an affidavit explaining any impediment by the next scheduled hearing on February 10, 2026. The judge remarked, “What is the impediment if the name is suggested by his father, mother or sister?” while noting the firm’s willingness to provide representation without charge.

The MEA counsel opposed some submissions, indicating that the law firm was one of several recommended by Major Jaitly himself and that his wife, Charu Jaitly, was expected to decide on engaging legal services — a point disputed by Celina’s legal team.

This order follows earlier directions from the court requiring the MEA to facilitate communication between Celina Jaitly and her detained brother, as well as to appoint a nodal officer to keep the family informed of his welfare and legal status.

Also read: Celina Jaitly opens up about 15-year abusive marriage with Peter Haag, says love can’t fix what’s broken

The case continues amid ongoing diplomatic and legal efforts, with the next hearing set to review the government’s response and the progress on legal representation for Major Jaitly.