Delhi High Court Allows Centre Time To Pursue Consular Access For Celina Jaitly’s Brother In UAE Case

The Delhi High Court has granted the Union government four weeks. It will use this time to take further diplomatic steps to secure consular access to Major Vikrant Jaitly (retd), who remains in custody in the United Arab Emirates.

The matter was heard by a single-judge Bench led by Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav. The hearing was held in connection with a writ petition filed by actress Celina Jaitly.

She has alleged that her brother was unlawfully detained in the UAE. She has also sought court directions to ensure he receives legal support and consular assistance.

During the hearing, the court was informed that a planned consular interaction on 13 February did not materialise. The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi had formally sought permission to meet Jaitly. However, the UAE authorities did not grant approval, and an alternative date has not yet been confirmed.

The Centre requested three to four weeks’ time. It said this would allow the Ministry of External Affairs and the Embassy to continue engaging with UAE officials.

The court accepted the submission as reasonable. It observed that there was no need to list the matter on a weekly basis and scheduled the next hearing for 16 March.

Examination of Legal Mechanisms

The Bench also took note of the government’s submission. It stated that the MEA has approached the Union Ministry of Law and Justice to examine the possibility of invoking the India-UAE Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement.

A formal communication to the UAE’s central authority is currently under consideration. This step is aimed at facilitating a virtual interaction between the High Court and Jaitly.

Counsel representing Jaitly’s wife, Charul Jaitly, sought to be added as a party to the proceedings and submitted a written account detailing recent developments. The court directed that the document be shared with the opposing side, stating that its contents were not confidential.

A request for an in-camera hearing was declined, with the judge clarifying that the case concerns a writ petition against the Union of India and should not be framed as a private family matter. The petitioner was permitted to file a rejoinder.

The High Court further instructed all parties to avoid making statements to the media without its approval.

Celina Jaitly has maintained that her brother, a retired Indian Army officer who had been living in the UAE since 2016, was wrongfully detained in September 2024 and has urged the court to ensure consular and legal intervention.

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