Actor Celina Jaitly has opened up about the harrowing circumstances under which she returned to India, revealing that she fled a “severely abusive” marriage in Austria in the middle of the night to secure the release of her brother.
Her brother, Major (Retd.) Vikrant Jaitly, a former Indian Army Special Forces officer, has been in “arbitrary detention” in the UAE since September 2024.
A Midnight Escape from Austria
In an emotional interview with PTI, Celina detailed how her personal life and her brother’s crisis collided:
- The Breaking Point: Already trapped in a marriage marked by emotional, physical, and verbal abuse by her husband, Peter Haag, Celina reached her limit when she learned of her brother’s detention.
- The Departure: “At 1 o’clock in the night, with hardly any money, a ticket bought on a credit card, I left Austria and came to India,” she shared. She noted that she had lost access to her assets and her three children, who remain in Austria.
- Domestic Violence Case: In November 2025, Celina filed a case in a Mumbai court seeking ₹50 crore in compensation and custody access, alleging that Haag prohibited her from working and controlled her finances.
The Fight for Major Vikrant Jaitly
Major Vikrant Jaitly was reportedly picked up from a mall parking lot in Dubai in September 2024. For nearly nine months, his family had no information on his whereabouts or the charges against him.
- Delhi High Court Breakthrough: On February 3, 2026, the Delhi High Court provided major relief by directing the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to facilitate legal aid.
- Pro Bono Representation: A UAE-based law firm, Khalid Almarri Partners and Advocates, has agreed to represent the retired soldier for free.
- Current Status: Vikrant is currently held at the Al Wathba Detention Centre in Abu Dhabi. The court has directed that he must be granted access to his legal team before February 10, 2026.
Key Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
| Sept 2024 | Major Vikrant Jaitly is detained in the UAE; his whereabouts remain unknown for months. |
| Nov 2025 | Celina Jaitly files a Domestic Violence case against Peter Haag in Mumbai. |
| Jan 2026 | Celina appeals to PM Narendra Modi for high-level intervention. |
| Feb 3, 2026 | Delhi HC orders MEA to facilitate pro bono UAE lawyers for Vikrant. |
| Feb 10, 2026 | Next scheduled hearing in the Delhi High Court. |