Bollywood Star Celina Jaitly Appeals for Return of Her Brother, Retired Major Detained in UAE for Over 14 Months

Actor-model Celina Jaitly is waging a deeply personal and urgent fight on behalf of her brother, Major (Retd.) Vikrant Kumar Jaitly, a decorated former Indian Army officer who was reportedly abducted in the United Arab Emirates in September 2024 and has been held in detention under alleged “national security” concerns ever since.

Her family has had no meaningful contact with him, and she has appealed to the Indian government and judicial authorities for his safe return.

Celina revealed the harrowing ordeal during a recent television interview, recounting that for the first eight months after her brother’s disappearance, she did not know his whereabouts or even if he was alive.

“The last 14 months — not knowing where my brother is or whether he is alive — have been a nightmare,” she said.

“He was abducted for the first eight months, and then I was informed he had been moved to a detention centre.”

Her lawyer, Raghav Kacker, emphasised the significance of the term “abduction” in the case, pointing out that Vikrant was picked up in a vehicle not belonging to any official police or government agency when he was taken from the Mall of the Emirates.

This irregularity has added to the family’s concerns about the legality of the detention and the lack of formal acknowledgement of the arrest.

Legal and Diplomatic Developments

In a positive development for Celina and her family, the Delhi High Court issued a directive asking the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to appoint a nodal officer for the case, facilitate communication between Celina and her brother, ensure that Vikrant receives legal and medical assistance, and submit a detailed status report by December 6 2025.

According to official statements, the MEA has since confirmed that Indian consular officials have visited Vikrant in the UAE four times, with the most recent visit occurring in September 2025.

While these steps provide a glimmer of hope, the exact reason for his detention remains undisclosed, and the family is still in the dark about the formal charges or status of his case.

A Sister’s Appeal and Family Loss

In a heartfelt message posted on social media from the gates of the Delhi High Court, Celina wrote: I write this … with immense gratitude, as after an arduous 14 months, I have finally reached the light at the end of the dark tunnel. You fought for us, bhai, now it’s time for us to stand behind you.” 

The actress detailed how the last time she spoke to her brother was during Raksha Bandhan 2024. After that day — August 19 — all contact ceased, and it was only by the end of September that she received a call from his wife indicating he had been abducted by unknown entities.

Celina lost both her father, Colonel VK Jaitly, and her son, Shamsher Haag, back in 2017. Now, with her mother also gone, the only remaining immediate family member is her brother — a veteran soldier whose fate she is now fighting to secure.

Why It Matters

This case draws attention not only to one family’s anguish, but also to broader concerns over the welfare of Indian nationals — particularly former defence personnel — detained overseas without transparency or clear legal processes.

Celina has stressed that while her brother is a retired Special Forces officer with commendation for gallantry, his treatment abroad raises difficult questions about consular protection, state responsibility, and the rights of individuals detained in foreign jurisdictions.

For now, Celina’s appeal to the Indian government remains urgent: to actively intervene through diplomatic channels, to safeguard her brother’s legal and medical welfare, and to expedite his safe return home.

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