Delhi High Court Concludes Celina Jaitly's Petition Regarding Brother's Detention in UAE

Court Ruling on Celina Jaitly's Brother's Legal Situation

New Delhi: On Monday, the Delhi High Court wrapped up the proceedings concerning actor Celina Jaitly's petition regarding her brother, Vikrant Jaitly, who is currently detained in the UAE. The court instructed the Indian government to continue offering legal support to the retired major.

The court noted that the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi has met with Vikrant Jaitly on nine occasions since his arrest. It was highlighted that decisions regarding his legal representation should be made by his wife, not his sister. Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav questioned the petitioner's counsel, asking, "What right do you have now?"

The court acknowledged that the Ministry of External Affairs is actively communicating with Mr. Jaitly and that he has been granted consular access. The Indian Embassy's interactions with him were confirmed, leading the court to conclude that there was no reason to keep the petition pending.

The ruling stated that the authorities must ensure Vikrant Jaitly's well-being is prioritized.

Celina Jaitly's petition claimed her brother had been "illegally abducted and detained" in the UAE since September 6, 2024, and sought effective legal representation for him.

During the proceedings, Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma provided sealed information to the court, revealing that during a consular meeting on February 18, Vikrant Jaitly expressed his desire not to be represented by any law firm and declined his sister's offer for pro bono legal services from a UAE-based firm.

The court was informed that Vikrant Jaitly preferred not to communicate with his sister, stating that only his wife could make decisions regarding his legal representation.

The petitioner's counsel raised concerns about her brother's safety, especially given the ongoing conflict in the region, and requested at least one video conference with him.

However, the court denied this request, emphasizing that it was relying on information provided by authorized Indian officials and their interactions with Mr. Jaitly.

The court clarified that there was no significant dispute between the petitioner and Vikrant Jaitly's wife that would affect the proceedings.

In her petition, Celina Jaitly mentioned that her brother had been living in the UAE since 2016 and was employed by the MATITI Group, which specializes in trading, consultancy, and risk management services.

Despite the time elapsed, the Ministry of External Affairs has not been able to provide basic information regarding her brother's welfare and legal status, according to the actor's claims.