Bollywood Star Celina Jaitly’s plea: ‘I’d Give Up Everything’ to Free Detained Brother from UAE Ordeal
In a poignant display of familial devotion, Bollywood actress Celina Jaitly has laid bare her anguish over the prolonged detention of her brother, Major (Retd.) Vikrant Kumar Jaitly, in the United Arab Emirates. Following a recent directive from the Delhi High Court mandating legal support for the former officer, Jaitly turned to social media to voice her unrelenting sorrow and resolve.
The court order, issued last week, compels the Ministry of External Affairs to furnish comprehensive legal aid to Major Jaitly, submit a detailed progress report within four weeks, and designate a nodal officer to coordinate efforts. The case is slated for its next hearing on December 4. Jaitly, who has spearheaded a vigorous campaign for her brother’s release, described the ruling as a vital “ray of hope” amid her protracted struggle.
Major Jaitly, a distinguished Para Special Forces veteran and fourth-generation Army officer, has languished in UAE custody for more than 14 months on vague “national security” pretexts. Trained at the Military College of Telecommunication Engineering, he volunteered for elite commando duties and has long embodied selfless patriotism, according to his sister. Detained abruptly in September 2024 outside the Mall of the Emirates by plainclothes individuals who bundled him into an unmarked black vehicle, he vanished for eight months. It was only after Jaitly lodged a complaint via the Madad Portal that officials disclosed his relocation to a facility in Abu Dhabi.
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Authorities have since confirmed his whereabouts but have barred legal counsel, invoking security sensitivities. Jaitly’s final contact with her brother occurred on Raksha Bandhan in August 2024, after which silence ensued. She has raised alarms about his deteriorating health, both physical and psychological, emphasizing, “He’s a true patriot who has always put the nation before self. I just want him back in his country.”
The Ministry of External Affairs has verified four consular visits by Indian officials, the latest in September 2025, and affirmed that the UAE-based embassy is actively engaged with the family. “We remain fully seized of the matter,” the MEA stated, underscoring sustained diplomatic engagement.
On Sunday, Jaitly posted a cherished photo of the siblings on Instagram, accompanied by a raw, heartfelt caption: “#mybrotherandme : My Dumpy, I hope you’re ok, I hope you know I’m standing with you like a rock, I hope you know I haven’t slept a single night without crying for you, I hope you know I’d give up everything for you, I hope you know no one can ever come between us, I hope you know I left no stone unturned, I hope God will finally be kind to you & me my bhai… waiting for you.”
The message resonated widely, drawing an influx of supportive comments and prayers from followers. As the family awaits further developments, Jaitly’s public appeal highlights the human toll of bureaucratic delays and the fierce bonds that endure them.