The proceedings on actress Celina Jaitley’s plea regarding her brother’s detention in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were closed by the Delhi High Court on Monday.
The HC, while concluding Vikrant Jaitly’s detention proceedings, asked the central government to continue providing legal aid to the retired major.
Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav noted in court that the Indian embassy in Abu Dhabi had met Jaitly nine times since he was arrested and that he had told them that decisions regarding his legal representation would rest with his wife, not his sister. The judge further asked counsel Celina Jaitla, “What right do you have now?” according to a PTI report.
Indian embassy officials met Jaitley nine times: Court
“It has been noted that the respondent (Ministry of External Affairs) is in active contact with Mr. Jaitly. It also appears that Mr. Jaitly has been granted consular access. The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi has cooperated (with him) nine times,” the court said, according to the agency.
Read also | Celina Jaitly shares message after Delhi HC represents brother
“There is no reason to keep the subpoena application pending. It is, therefore, disposed of. The respondent will continue to be in contact with Mr. Jaitly and provide all legal representation as is legally possible,” the court order said.
The court also made it clear that Jaitly’s welfare must be looked after by the Indian authorities.
The actress has filed a motion in court to represent her brother, who she says has been “unlawfully abducted and detained” since September 6, 2024 in the UAE.
Vikrant Jaitly does not wish to interact with sister: ASG
Chetan Sharma, Additional Solicitor General, submitted certain information in a sealed envelope to the court and said that at the consular meeting on February 18, Vikram Jaitly took a clear stand that he did not wish to be represented by the firm and rejected Celina’s proposal to use the pro bono services of a UAE-based law firm.
The court was also told that Jaitly had conveyed that he had no intention of communicating with his sister and it was only his wife who could decide on suitable legal representation for him.
However, the petitioner’s attorney expressed concern over the possible reason why the actor’s brother declined pro bono counsel and requested a video conference call between the two siblings.
“We are concerned about his safety, especially in view of the war,” the lawyer said, according to PTI.
Read also | Celina Jaitly vs Peter Haag – A new twist emerges after the domestic violence case
But the request was rejected by the court, which said it was investigating the case based on details provided by “officials of the Indian government, those in charge of the Indian consulate and their cooperation with Mr. Jaitly.”
“The dispute will have to be kept aside… When Mr. Jaitly says something, we have to abide by it,” the court said on the situation.
According to Celina Jaitla’s petition, her borher was staying in the UAE since 2016 and was employed by the MATITI Group. The company is engaged in consulting, risk management services and also trading.
The actor’s plea claimed that despite the past year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has failed to secure basic information about her sibling, including his legal status and social conditions.
