Celina Jaitly's Brother's Detention Case: Delhi HC Asks MEA To Facilitate Communication With Vikrant Jaitly

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday asked the counsel for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to get in touch with the Ministry to facilitate the interaction of actress Celina Jaitly's brother, Major (Retired) Vikarant Jaitly, with the court via video conferencing. Vikrant Jaitly is in detention in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and charges against him haven’t been officially made public. 

The court also questioned MEA's withdrawal of legal aid in the case, stressing that consular and legal assistance to an Indian citizen cannot depend on family disputes. The MEA admitted that it had issued authorisation to a UAE firm to take up Jaitly's case and then withdrew it solely because his wife, Charul.

Celina Jaitly had moved the high court last year, claiming that her brother has been abducted and detained in Abu Dhabi without access to proper legal and medical assistance. In November, Celina penned a note for her brother on social media, saying, "You fought for us, bhai, now it’s time for us to stand behind you. For one year, I have searched for answers for you. Now I continue my prayers to our respected government to fight for you, to bring you back safely. My government, the only entity I trust, is the Government of India, & I know they will do everything to protect this 4th-generation soldier, son, grandson & great-grandson of war veterans, who has given his everything, his entire youth, in the service of our nation, holder of the COAS Commendation for Gallantry. Indian soldiers abroad continue to be targeted for reasons unknown. I pray to my government for their help & protection for our defenders."

The High Court has listed the matter for hearing on February 12 and asked the parties to not interact with the media about the case.

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