The direction was issued during a hearing on Tuesday, in response to a petition seeking diplomatic and legal intervention. The court asked the MEA to act expeditiously to coordinate legal support and enable communication with Major Jaitly, who is reportedly being held in connection with a national security-related case in the UAE.
Celina Jaitly confirmed the development through a post on her official social media account, stating that the court had taken “a big step to protect the rights of a soldier.” She said that after sustained efforts, legal representation had finally been arranged for her brother, who has remained largely incommunicado since his detention.
According to the actor, a leading UAE-based law firm, Khalid Almarri & Partners Advocates, has been engaged to handle Major Jaitly’s case. The firm is expected to pursue his legal rights under international law and UAE statutes, and will do so on a pro bono basis.
In another statement, Jaitly said the High Court had specifically directed the MEA to ensure her brother’s safety in custody and facilitate contact between him and his family. She also expressed gratitude to the ministry for its cooperation, adding that she remained hopeful of securing his release. “With the strong cooperation of the Ministry of External Affairs, I am fully confident that we will bring back our soldier who dedicated his entire youth to the service of the nation,” she wrote.
Major Vikrant Jaitly, a retired Indian Army officer, had been residing in Dubai since 2016 following his retirement from active service. He was taken into custody by UAE security authorities in September 2024. Since then, his family claims they have had limited or no communication with him.
Unable to intervene directly due to jurisdictional constraints, Celina Jaitly approached Indian authorities and ultimately filed a petition in the Delhi High Court seeking diplomatic assistance through the MEA. Legal experts say the court’s directive reinforces the government’s responsibility to extend consular support to Indian nationals detained abroad.
The case remains under legal proceedings in the UAE, with further developments expected following the MEA’s intervention.
