Bollywood actress Celina Jaitly has made a heartfelt appeal to the Indian government to intervene and secure the safe return of her brother, Major (Retd.) Vikrant Kumar Jaitly, detained in the UAE since September 2024. The Delhi High Court has issued notices to the Ministry of External Affairs, ordering legal and medical assistance with a nodal officer appointed to coordinate efforts.
Celina Jaitly’s brother, Major (Retd.) Vikrant Kumar Jaitly, a decorated former Indian Army officer and UN peacekeeper, has been detained in the UAE for over a year under unclear circumstances linked to a national security case. Major Vikrant, who moved to the UAE in 2016, was reportedly “illegally abducted and detained” in September 2024, according to Celina’s petition submitted to the Delhi High Court.
Actress Celina has been relentlessly fighting for clarity on her brother’s status, legal protections, and medical care, stating that the family has had no verified communication with him since his disappearance. She is the sole surviving immediate blood relative and has appealed for consistent consular access and real-time communication, which authorities have so far been unable to provide effectively.
In a significant development, the Delhi High Court, presided over by Justice Sachin Datta, issued directions to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to ensure legal representation, medical support, and facilitate communication between Major Vikrant, his wife, and Celina. A nodal officer has been appointed to liaise with UAE authorities and ensure coordinated efforts are sustained.
Celina Jaitly shared an emotional note on social media expressing gratitude for the court’s intervention, calling it a “ray of hope” after an arduous 14-month battle. She described her brother as a fourth-generation soldier from a family of war veterans and praised his sacrifices for the nation. Her plea spotlights the challenges faced by Indian soldiers detained abroad and underscores the urgent need for government action.
Sources: Times of India, India Today, NDTV, Tribune India, Hindustan Times, Indian Express