Diplomatic tensions simmer as Bollywood star Celina Jaitly fights for her brother, Vikrant Kumar Jaitly, a retired Major languishing in UAE detention for a full year. India-UAE talks on legal and consular fronts remain deadlocked.
During Tuesday’s Delhi High Court proceedings, MEA dropped a bombshell: no consular rendezvous on February 13, thanks to UAE’s refusal. Abu Dhabi’s Indian Embassy waited in vain after lodging the official request.
Pressing for patience, the ministry sought a month-long window to reschedule the vital interaction. Mark your calendars for March 16, when the court dives back in.
Vikrant’s wife pushed for private hearings, citing sensitivity, but judges insisted on openness to safeguard procedural integrity across the board.
The bench mandated swift actions from New Delhi and MEA to bolster Vikrant’s legal defenses and access consular perks. Echoes of last year’s drama resurface, with Celina’s writ claiming wrongful UAE hold since 2024.
Rooted in Dubai since 2016, Vikrant helmed roles at Matity Group, specializing in commerce, advisory services, and hazard mitigation.
Celina’s cry for help sought his secure homecoming, transforming a private woe into public discourse. This protracted imbroglio spotlights expatriate vulnerabilities and the gears of international advocacy.
As the clock runs, expectations mount on diplomatic channels. Transparency from the court and proactive MEA steps signal hope amid uncertainty, potentially reshaping consular protocols for Indians overseas.