Delhi HC Orders MEA to Appoint Free Legal Firm for Detained Bollywood Actor's Brother in UAE

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Bollywood actress Celina Jaitly's brother, Maj (Rtd) Vikrant Kumar Jaitly, has been held in the United Arab Emirates since September last year. In a recent development, the Delhi High Court has directed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to appoint Al Maree Partners, a legal firm, to represent Vikrant Jaitly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The law firm has offered to handle the case free of cost. The direction was issued by Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav on a petition filed by Celina Jaitly. The High Court asked the MEA to issue the order if there are no obstacles, and to mention any impediments in an affidavit. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for February 10. The court's decision came after Celina Jaitly's counsel, Raghav Kacker, suggested Al Maree Partners, citing that the firm is willing to represent Vikrant Jaitly at no expense. The MEA's counsel opposed the suggestion, stating that the firm's name was listed by Vikrant Jaitly, and that he had told embassy officials that his wife, Charu Jaitly, would decide on a legal firm. However, the court pointed out that if the law firm is willing to represent Vikrant Jaitly without any costs, there should be no objection. Celina Jaitly has been seeking answers over her brother's detention, claiming that he was illegally abducted and detained in the UAE since September 2024. She also alleged that the Centre had failed to provide basic information about his welfare or legal status despite over a year having passed. The court had previously directed the MEA to provide legal assistance to Vikrant Jaitly, facilitate communication between the siblings, and appoint a nodal officer for the case. The MEA's counsel had opposed the suggestion, but the court's latest direction aims to ensure that Vikrant Jaitly receives the necessary legal representation in the UAE.