Overview
- Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav directed the MEA to issue an order naming Al Maree/Almarri Partners to represent Major (Retd.) Vikrant Jaitly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with the firm acting pro bono.
- The MEA’s counsel objected, noting the firm already appeared on a list Vikrant provided and that he told embassy officials his wife, Charu Jaitly, would choose the lawyer.
- Celina Jaitly’s legal team disputed that account, telling the court email records show Vikrant does not wish to communicate with his wife.
- The court asked the MEA to file an affidavit detailing any impediment to issuing the order, and set the next hearing for February 10.
- Counsel said the appointment letter would allow the UAE lawyers to obtain a power of attorney and formally start the defense; Vikrant Jaitly has been detained since September 2024.