The Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to authorise a Dubai-based law firm to represent retired Major Vikrant Jaitley, brother of Bollywood actor Celina Jaitly, who has allegedly been detained in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) since September 2024.
Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav issued the direction while hearing a writ petition filed by the actor, who has sought effective legal representation for her brother, claiming that he was “illegally abducted and detained” in the UAE on September 6, 2024.
The court was informed that the law firm, whose name has not been disclosed, was willing to offer pro bono legal assistance and that Vikrant Jaitley had raised no objection to being represented by it. However, the law firm required formal authorization from the Indian government in order to appear before UAE authorities.
“You either issue the order or file an affidavit… In all fairness, he has to be represented, isn’t it,” Justice Kaurav told the government.
In his order, the judge stated:
“Let the Ministry of External Affairs issue appropriate order in favour of [the law firm], authorising the said firm to represent Mr Vikrant Kumar Jaitley for all purposes in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. If there is any reason for not acting upon the direction, let the same be brought on record by the next date of hearing.”
The court fixed February 10 as the next date for hearing.
According to the petition, Vikrant Jaitley, a retired Indian Army officer, has been residing in the UAE since 2016 and was employed with the MATITI Group, a company involved in trading, consultancy, and risk management.
Celina Jaitly’s plea alleged that despite more than a year having passed since his detention, the MEA has not provided any clarity on his legal status, whereabouts, or welfare conditions.
Her lawyer submitted that the family had been kept in the dark and the delay in granting legal representation was causing serious prejudice to Jaitley’s rights.
