The Delhi High Court has once again directed the Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to take active steps to facilitate contact between Bollywood actor Celina Jaitly and her brother, a former Indian Army officer who is currently detained in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The matter was heard by Justice Sachin Datta.

During the hearing, Central Government Standing Counsel Nidhi Raman informed the Court that the detainee had requested for specific counsel in India to facilitate the counsel in UAE. However, Adv Raghav Kacker, counsel appearing for Jaitly submitted that no direct contact had been established with her brother over the past 16 months. It was pointed out that the detainee has no independent control over telephonic access, as calls can only be made through an Emirates ID-linked calling system, making it impossible for him to initiate contact freely.

The Court queried whether arrangements could be made with the prison authorities or through the Indian Consulate to establish communication. In response, the Centre submitted that consular access had already been granted and that the detainee’s wife and sister’s phone numbers were added to his calling card. However, it was claimed that he has chosen to contact only his wife so far and not his sister.

Appearing virtually, an Advocate informed the Court that the wife had spoken and met virtually the detainee recently, and argued that he had expressed a preference to not speak with his sister, terming the litigation “frivolous”. Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, while assuring the Court of the Government’s sensitivity towards the family particularly in light of their long-standing association with the armed forces submitted that the best efforts would be made to ensure compliance with the Court’s direction. He also requested the Court to take note of Celina Jaitly’s emotional distress.

Taking a compassionate view, the Court observed that the petitioner is entitled to speak with her brother and directed the Indian Consulate to impress upon the detainee that he has the option to contact his sister. The MEA was instructed to continue its efforts to facilitate such communication and file a fresh status report. The Court reiterated that “the petitioner is entitled to call her brother” and passed directions for ensuring that meaningful contact is established.