New Delhi: In a significant development, the Delhi High Court on Monday directed the central government to ensure effective legal representation for Bollywood actor Celina Jaitly’s brother, Major Vikrant Jaitly (Retd), who has reportedly been detained in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for over a year.
Justice Sachin Datta passed the order while seeking a response from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on a plea filed by the actor, expressing grave concern over her brother’s welfare and lack of legal assistance.
Court Seeks Centre’s Response by December 4
During the proceedings, the High Court issued a notice to the central government, directing it to submit its response by December 4, the next date of hearing.
The court observed that effective legal aid and regular communication with the detainee are essential, and instructed authorities to facilitate contact between Celina Jaitly, her brother, and his wife.
“The respondent shall depute a nodal officer for this purpose and keep the family informed about the detainee’s status and ongoing legal proceedings,” Justice Datta said in his order.
Actor’s Plea Highlights Lack of Government Action
In her petition, Celina Jaitly alleged that her brother had been “illegally abducted and detained” in the UAE since September 6 last year. Despite repeated efforts, she claimed, Indian authorities have failed to secure basic information regarding his condition or the charges against him.
The plea mentioned that Major Vikrant Jaitly, a retired Army officer, has been residing in the UAE since 2016 and was employed with the MATITI Group, a company involved in trading, consultancy, and risk management services.
“Even after more than a year, the MEA has not provided any clear update on his welfare, legal situation, or steps taken for his release,” the plea stated.
Government Says Consular Access Granted
During the hearing, government counsel informed the court that Indian authorities in the UAE have already granted consular access to the detainee. However, Celina Jaitly’s counsel countered that despite multiple attempts, the actor has been unable to communicate with her brother directly.
In response, the court instructed the concerned authorities to ensure communication channels are opened between the detainee and his family at the earliest.
Nodal Officer to Keep Family Informed
The High Court emphasized the importance of transparent communication, directing the government to appoint a nodal officer who will provide regular updates to the family regarding Major Vikrant Jaitly’s legal status and welfare conditions in the UAE.
The judge further directed that the officer coordinate with the family to ensure all necessary support and documentation are provided to assist in the detainee’s legal representation.
A Family’s Long Wait for Justice
The case has drawn attention to the plight of Indian nationals detained abroad, often without clear communication or access to proper legal assistance. For Celina Jaitly and her family, the Delhi High Court’s intervention offers a ray of hope after months of uncertainty.
The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for December 4, when the government is expected to present a detailed response outlining the measures taken to secure legal representation and consular support for Major Jaitly.
Key Highlights
- Delhi HC directs government to provide legal representation for Celina Jaitly’s brother detained in UAE.
- Justice Sachin Datta seeks Centre’s response by December 4.
- Court asks for a nodal officer to coordinate communication with the family.
- Celina’s plea alleges illegal detention since September 2023.
- Government claims consular access has already been granted.
The Delhi High Court has directed the Indian government to ensure effective legal aid and communication for actor Celina Jaitly’s brother, Major Vikrant Jaitly, who has been detained in the UAE for over a year. The court ordered the appointment of a nodal officer to facilitate regular updates and sought a detailed response from the Centre by December 4.