Celina Jaitly appeals to PM Modi for assistance in securing the release of her detained brother

Celina Jaitly has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the release of her brother, Major (retd) Vikrant Jaitly, who is currently held by UAE authorities. In an interview with India Today, Celina expressed concerns about the limited information available regarding his arrest. Major Vikrant, a former Indian Army Special Forces officer, has been detained in the United Arab Emirates since September 2024.

Celina appeals to PM Modi

Celina revealed that she recently discovered her brother had been transferred to the Al-Wathba Detention Centre in Abu Dhabi. She stated that he was apprehended in the parking area of the Mall of the Emirates by individuals who requested his Emirates ID.

A soldier of our country is in a foreign jail without prosecution. Why should we delay legal aid any further? My request to Modiji is to please bring this soldier back. He has given his entire youth to the nation. If he had done something wrong, there would have been a prosecution by now, she said.

She emphasized that Indian soldiers "are not just numbers," and that the "nation must stand behind them.” In a message to her brother, she added, “Didi (Sister) is with you. The whole country is with you. I will move mountains to get you back.”

Celina expresses relief

Celina recently expressed her relief at the Delhi High Court's decision, which allows a UAE-based legal firm to represent her brother, who has been detained in Dubai for the past 18 months. This order has brought renewed hope to her family, as it permits advocates in the UAE to represent Major Jaitly after months of uncertainty.

The court instructed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to authorize the legal firm, Al Maree Partners, to represent Celina Jaitly's brother, Major (retd.) Vikrant Jaitly, in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The law firm has offered to handle the case pro bono. The next hearing is scheduled for February 10.