Bollywood Star Celina Jaitly Sees Glimmer of Hope in Court Ruling on Brother’s UAE Detention

New Delhi — Bollywood actor Celina Jaitly expressed cautious optimism Thursday after the Delhi High Court ordered the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to enable communication between her and her brother, retired Indian Army Major Vikrant Kumar Jaitly, who has been held in the United Arab Emirates for over a year amid national security allegations.

Maj. (Rtd.) Vikrant Kumar Jaitly, a former Indian Army officer, has remained in UAE custody since September 6, 2024, according to family accounts. The 15-month separation has weighed heavily on Celina, who has mounted a legal campaign to secure consular access and legal support for him. In a poignant Instagram post following the hearing, she detailed the courtroom developments, underscoring her persistent efforts amid profound family distress.

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“The Ministry of External Affairs filed its Status Report and appointed a Nodal Officer to coordinate with me for access to my brother,” Celina wrote. She highlighted the intervention of Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, who assured the court of the government’s commitment to facilitating contact. “While I still haven’t been able to speak to Vikrant it’s been 15 months now,” she noted, crediting the bench for directing the MEA to prioritize the connection via the TAMM App or alternative channels.

The court acknowledged the Jaitly family’s longstanding service to the nation, spanning four generations in the armed forces, a point Celina emphasized in gratitude. The next hearing is scheduled for December 23, as the family awaits further progress. Celina, who has refrained from media interactions, directed inquiries to her lead counsel in India, Raghav Kacker of Kacker & Co., amid these trying circumstances.

Prior to his detention, Maj. Jaitly had lived in the UAE since 2016, working for the MATITI Group in trading, consultancy, and risk management, as reported by the PTI news agency. Celina’s advocacy persists, blending hope with the quiet resolve of a sibling separated by borders and bureaucracy, as she prays for her brother’s well-being in an unresolved ordeal.