Post by : Rameen Ariff

The Delhi High Court on Monday heard actor Celina Jaitly’s plea seeking help to locate and assist her brother, retired Indian Army Major Vikrant Kumar Jaitly, who has reportedly been detained in the United Arab Emirates since September 2024 over national security concerns.

The court directed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to ensure communication between Vikrant Jaitly and his family, including his wife in the UAE. The MEA has also been asked to file a detailed status report on its efforts to establish contact and provide legal assistance.

Celina Jaitly, who was present at the hearing, later took to Instagram describing the court’s order as a “ray of hope.” She wrote, “After an arduous 14 months, I have finally reached the light at the end of the dark tunnel… My brother has been a victim of enforced disappearance for nine months, followed by detainment.”

Jaitly’s lawyer argued that as an Indian national, Major Vikrant Jaitly is entitled to legal and consular support from the Indian government. The petition stated that despite repeated appeals to the Indian Embassy, Consulate, and the Ministry, the family had received no concrete information about his condition or legal status for over a year.

Celina further urged the government to stand by her brother, calling him “a 4th-generation soldier” who served the nation with distinction and received the COAS Commendation for Gallantry. She added, “You fought for us, bhai. Now it’s our turn to fight for you.”

Her petition also seeks diplomatic intervention to ensure medical care, humane treatment, and regular consular monitoring of his welfare in line with international law and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.

The case, heard by Justice Sachin Datta, is scheduled for its next hearing on December 4.

#world news #Global News