Actor Celina Jaitly has approached the Delhi High Court, seeking intervention in the case of her brother, Major (Retd.) Vikrant Kumar Jaitly, who has reportedly been under house arrest in the UAE for over a year. In her petition, Celina urged that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) fulfill its duty to protect Indian citizens abroad and take immediate action in her brother’s case.
What the Petition Demands
The petition requests that Major Jaitly be granted access to medical care, legal representation, and consular support. Celina has also sought financial assistance to cover necessary expenses and asked the court to ensure that communication between Vikrant and his family is restored, as they have been unable to contact him for months.
She further appealed to UAE authorities to respect her brother’s rights under international law and the Vienna Convention.
Allegations of Government Inaction
Celina alleged that her family has been appealing for help for 14 months to both the Indian Embassy and the Ministry of External Affairs, but has received no clear information so far. She argued that the government’s inaction violates Articles 14 and 21 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantee the right to equality and life to every citizen.
She further added that the failure of Indian authorities to intervene goes against India’s own policies meant to safeguard the rights and safety of citizens living abroad.
High Court Hearing and Directions
Celina shared on social media that the Delhi High Court has heard her petition and directed the government to submit a status report on the matter. Justice Sachin Datta has also appointed a nodal officer to coordinate all assistance and communication related to Vikrant Jaitly’s detention in the UAE.
Expressing cautious optimism, Celina said this marks the first ray of hope after 14 months of struggle. She described her brother’s case as one of “forced disappearance” and unlawful detention.
Emotional Note from Celina
In an emotional post from the court premises, Celina wrote: “After an arduous 14 months, I have finally reached the light at the end of the dark tunnel. I have just exited the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi, where my writ petition regarding my brother was heard.”
She claimed her brother has been "a victim of enforced disappearance for nine months, followed by detainment".
"You fought for us, bhai, now it's time for us to stand behind you," she said, calling the court's direction a "ray of hope".
"Indian soldiers abroad continue to be targeted for reasons unknown, I pray to my government for their help & protection for our defenders," she added.
