The Delhi High Court, hearing a petition concerning the detention of an Indian national in the United Arab Emirates, sought a status report from the authorities and issued directions to facilitate legal representation and consular assistance for the detainee. The matter was heard by Justice Sachin Dutta, with submissions advanced by Advocate Raghav Kacker.

During the hearing, counsel informed the Court that the petitioner had been detained in the UAE since 10 July 2024 and that his family have not been able to meet in person or ascertain details regarding the grounds of detention, case number, or the legal proceedings initiated against him. It was submitted that the detainee is an employee of a cybersecurity company and the sole breadearner of his family, which has been unable to access his assets in the absence of proper authorisation.

Reliance was placed on an earlier order passed by the High Court in Sweety Dahiya v UOI on 12 December in a factually similar matter involving a co-employee of the same company, where directions were issued to ensure consular intervention and legal assistance. Counsel pointed out that, unlike the earlier case, even basic information such as the offence alleged or case particulars was not presently available in the instant matter.

Taking note of the submissions, the Court directed the authorities concerned to take steps to ascertain the wellbeing and whereabouts of the detained individual, facilitate effective legal representation, and assist in identifying the details of any proceedings pending against him in the UAE. The respondents were further directed to place on record the progress made in this regard by way of a status report within four weeks, and the matter was listed for further consideration.

Appearances:

For the Petitioner: Advocates Raghav Kacker, Ribhav Pande, Madhav Aggarwal