Celina Jaitly’s UAE Detention Case Takes New Turn As Sister-In-Law’s Lawyer Questions Actor’s Actions

Bollywood actor Celina Jaitly, already entangled in multiple legal disputes in India, now finds herself navigating escalating tensions within her own family as she fights for the release of her detained brother, Major (Retd.) Vikrant Kumar Jaitly, who has been held in the UAE since September 2024.

Just days after the Delhi High Court directed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to set up communication channels between Celina and her brother—appointing a nodal officer to coordinate with UAE authorities—the situation took a complicated and unexpected turn. Even as Celina publicly expressed relief and gratitude over the court’s intervention, her sister-in-law, Charul Jaitly, has now challenged her version of events, sparking a new rift within

the family.

The Family Rift Comes Into the Open

Speaking through her lawyer, advocate Sudhanshu Pandey, Charul has pushed back against Celina’s statements, questioning both the timing and intent behind the actor’s legal action. According to Sudhanshu, Charul has been deeply involved in her husband’s case from the beginning and had already taken formal steps with the MEA long before Celina filed her petition.

Detailing Vikrant’s professional background, Sudhanshu noted, “Vikrant was an ex-army officer… In 2016–17, due to family circumstances, he took premature retirement and since then he has been settled in Dubai, running his own work.” He added that Charul had been informed by authorities that the case involved “national security issues and cyber issues” connected to companies Vikrant may have dealt with.

Sudhanshu stated that an investigation formally began around September 6, 2023, and that Charul adhered to protocol while awaiting clearer information from UAE officials. But his strongest remarks were reserved for Celina’s sudden legal intervention.

He claimed that Charul had reached out to Celina “first” when Vikrant was detained, but “no visible help” came from her at the time. He added, “While Charul was never informed by Celina that she had decided to take any legal recourse, it would have been better if she had consulted Charul. If this was something motivated by genuine concern for her brother, she should have consulted us.”

He firmly rejected Celina’s suggestion that the family was withholding information from her, saying, “We strongly rebut this. There has been absolutely no reason for withholding anything.”

Celina’s Petition and the Court’s Direction

Earlier this week, Celina received a favourable order from the Delhi High Court, which instructed the MEA to ensure that Major Vikrant is informed—during the next consular access visit—that his family wishes to speak with him. The court asked the Ministry to facilitate communication promptly, through the TAMM app or any other channel permitted by UAE authorities.

The court also sought a fresh status report from the Centre, indicating that the situation requires urgent diplomatic follow-up.

What Lies Ahead

With the next hearing scheduled for December 23, the case now straddles two parallel conflicts: one between the family and the UAE legal system, and another within the family itself. What began as a humanitarian plea for contact with a detained relative has spiraled into a public disagreement between Celina and Charul, each asserting that they are acting in Vikrant’s best interest.

As both women pursue separate paths toward the same goal, the only certainty is that Major Vikrant’s case now sits at the intersection of legal complexity, diplomatic procedures, and deepening family fault lines.