The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday confirmed that India is in touch with the UAE authorities regarding the case of Major Vikram Jaitly, brother of actor Celina Jaitly, who has been detained for over a year.
“In the case of Major Vikram Jaitly, we are in touch with the UAE authorities. Our embassy has been seized. We have made consular visits to him and have done so four times,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
Stating that the government is in close touch with Major Vikram’s family, including his wife, Jaiswal added: “Also, naturally, whenever there is an Indian citizen who needs support, we offer all possible help.”
On Monday, the Delhi High Court directed the authorities concerned to take steps to ensure effective legal representation for Major Vikram.
The court also asked the central government to respond to the application filed by the actress seeking effective legal representation for her brother and directed the government to submit its response by December 4, the next date of hearing.
The notice was issued to the government on a request by the actor, in which she claimed that her brother Major (retd) Vikrant Kumar Jaitly has been staying in the UAE since 2016.
She said he was employed by the MATITI Group, which deals in trading, consulting and risk management services.
However, despite more than a year, the Union Ministry of External Affairs has failed to secure basic information about the actor’s brother, including his social conditions and legal status, the lawsuit alleges.
During Monday’s hearing, the government’s counsel said Indian authorities in the UAE had granted consular access to the detainee.
The actor’s legal representative then stated that despite several attempts, she was unable to communicate with her brother.
The judge then ordered the authorities to try to facilitate contact between the actress and her brother in addition to ensuring contact between him and his wife.
A nightmare for me, says Celina Jaitly
Speaking to ANI after the Delhi High Court’s directive, Celina Jaitly said that it had been a nightmare for her for a year and she was very grateful for the verdict.
“As India grows and becomes bigger and bigger in the international diaspora, our soldiers are being targeted again and again overseas. I think today’s judgment will really help in his return and I am very grateful to my lawyer Raghav and the entire team here,” the actor said.
