Celina Jaitly breaks down seeking PM Narendra Modi’s intervention for brother Vikrant Kumar Jaitly detained in UAE: ‘Our soldiers are not just numbers’

Celina Jaitly has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene in the case of her brother, Major Vikrant Kumar Jaitly, a former Indian Army Special Forces officer who has been detained in the United Arab Emirates since September 2024.

Speaking to India Today, Celina broke down while recounting what she described as an unlawful and opaque detention that has stretched on for over 16 months.

‘I didn’t even know where my brother was’

Major Vikrant Jaitly, a retired Special Forces commando, was allegedly picked up from the Mall of the Emirates parking area by unidentified individuals who asked for his Emirates ID and took him away in a black car. According to Celina, there was no formal arrest record for nearly nine months.“He was taken without any explanation. There was no record of arrest, no access to legal counsel, no communication. I didn’t even know where my brother was,” she said.Celina told the court that her brother was “illegally taken and detained,” with no information about his legal status, welfare, or charges. She added that it was only in June 2025 that she learned he had been shifted to the Al-Wathba Detention Centre in Abu Dhabi.

‘I only know one term — national security’

Major Jaitly was working with Matiti Group International, a company founded by his wife in 2016, which operates in human resources, risk management, and information technology. However, Celina said the authorities have not shared any concrete details about the allegations against him.“I only know one term — national security. That’s it. Nothing else. No charges, no prosecution details,” she said.

‘I was only hearing from a portal, not from people’

Celina revealed that she repeatedly reached out to the Indian mission in the UAE and the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi but received no meaningful response.

It was only after filing a grievance on the MADAD portal in November 2024 that she heard back, though she described the replies as impersonal and unhelpful.“I was only hearing from a portal, not from people. For a sister looking for her brother, that is devastating,” she said.

Delhi High Court steps in, legal aid finally appointed

The matter reached the Delhi High Court in October 2025, after which some movement was seen. The court directed the MEA to appoint a legal firm to represent Major Jaitly in the UAE and also asked that efforts be made to facilitate a phone call between the siblings—something that Celina said has still not happened.Following the court’s latest order, UAE-based law firm Khalid Almarie Partners and Advocates has agreed to represent Major Jaitly pro bono.“They said they want to do this for our soldier. They believe in justice beyond borders and dignity,” Celina said, adding that several law firms had earlier demanded “millions of dirhams,” which she could not afford due to personal and financial difficulties.

‘Why should we delay legal aid any further?’

Addressing concerns raised in court about differing opinions within the family regarding legal representation, Celina said that despite sharing multiple options, no firm had been appointed for over 16 months.“A soldier of our country is in a foreign jail without prosecution. Why should we delay legal aid any further?” she asked.

‘Please bring this soldier back’

Making an emotional appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Celina invoked his consistent support for the armed forces.“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.Drawing parallels with the detention of former Indian naval officers in Qatar, she said the situation warranted urgent, high-level diplomatic intervention.“Our soldiers are not just numbers. The nation must stand behind them,” she said. Ending the interview on an emotional note, Celina addressed her brother directly: “Didi is with you. The whole country is with you. I will move mountains to get you back. Jai Hind.”