Bollywood actress and former Miss India Celina Jaitley has directly sought help from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the release of her brother. Celina’s brother is former Indian Army Special Forces officer Major Vikrant Jaitley, efforts are being made to bring him back to India.

Where is Vikrant Jaitley imprisoned and why?

Vikrant has been in custody in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) since September 2024 and now more than 16 months have passed. In an emotional appeal, Celina said that she is a sister and would ‘move mountains’ to bring her brother back.

Celina tearfully told in an interview given to a news website that Vikrant was picked up by unknown people from the Mall of the Emirates parking area in Dubai. They asked for Emirates ID and took him in a black car. For the first nine months there was no official arrest record, no charges were announced, no legal aid was provided and the family received no information. In June 2025, it was revealed that he was kept in Al-Wathba Detention Center in Abu Dhabi. Selina said, ‘He was taken without any explanation. No arrest record, no lawyer, no contact. I didn’t know where my brother was.

Delhi High Court gave instructions to the Ministry of External Affairs

Celina Jaitley said that only one word ‘National Security’ was heard, but no charge sheet, no case or any details were given. The family contacted several law firms, but they were demanding millions of dirhams, which was difficult for the family. In November 2024, Celina filed a complaint on the MADAD portal and then filed a petition in the Delhi High Court in October 2025. The court directed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to appoint legal representation for Vikrant. Now UAE firm Khalid Almarie Partners and Advocates has appointed Prof. Has agreed to fight his case for free. The court has also asked to make efforts to facilitate phone calls between brothers and sisters, but this has not happened yet.

Tired and appealed to PM Modi

Celina said, ‘I request Modi ji to please bring back this soldier. He has given his entire youth to the nation. If he had done something wrong, the case would have been pending by now. Our soldiers are not just numbers, the nation should stand behind them. Addressing his brother, he said, ‘Sister is with you. The whole country is with you. I would move mountains to bring you back. Jai Hind.’

Vikrant is a retired Special Forces Commando, whose wife started a company named Matiti International Group in 2016, which is involved in Human Resources, Risk Management and IT. Several generations of the family have been in the army. Selina compared this case to the detention of Indian Navy officers in Qatar, where India had successfully intervened.

This case is going on in the Delhi High Court, where MEA has been instructed to submit the report and provide legal help. Till now no official statement has come from UAE or Indian government, but after Celina’s appeal this news is becoming increasingly discussed.

Actress Celina Jaitley’s brother and former army officer Major Vikrant Kumar Jaitley has been in custody in the UAE for the last one year. In such a situation, Delhi High Court has ordered the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to provide them full legal help and assistance.

Celina Jaitley said in her petition that her brother has been illegally detained in UAE for the last one year. He appealed to the High Court that his brother should get legal aid, necessary treatment and diplomatic help from the Government of India.

Delhi High Court sought answer from the Central Government
In Delhi High Court, Justice Sachin Dutta directed the Central Government to file a status report in this case and inform the court about the health and condition of Major Jaitley. The court also said that the Central Government should remain in touch with the family and keep Major Jaitley’s wife and sister informed about him. For this, instructions have also been given to appoint a nodal officer, who will give constant updates to the family.

Celina Jaitley’s lawyer accused the central government
Celina’s lawyer said that till now no information has been given by the Ministry of External Affairs about Jaitley’s condition in UAE. The Central Government’s lawyer said that Major Jaitley has been given consular access (meeting the government representative). The petition states that Major Jaitley has served in the Indian Army and has also been a part of the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Lebanon. Later, he was working in a consultancy firm in UAE when he was abducted from a mall in front of his wife.

Celina Jaitley had lodged a complaint on the government’s help portal but received no response. He also contacted the Indian Embassy but did not get any help from there also. Now this case will be heard again on December 4.