Delhi HC Junks Turkish Firm Celebi's Plea Against Security Clearance Revocation By Centre
Aviation watchdog Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) had cancelled Celebi's security clearance in May 2025 in the "interest of national security".
Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed the petition filed by Turkiye-based ground handling company Çelebi Aviation against the revocation of its security clearance by the Union Government.
The aviation watchdog Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) had cancelled Celebi's security clearance over alleged national security concerns. The clearance was revoked on May 15, 2025, with Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu saying that the decision was taken in the "interest of national security".
The decision was taken after Turkiye backed Islamabad and condemned India's retaliatory strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir, following the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir.
Senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi, who represented Celebi, argued that the government's decision was against the principles of natural justice and violated the procedure under the Aircraft Security Rules. Centre, on the other hand, defended its action highlighting an "unprecedented" threat to aviation security.
Senior Advocate Rohatgi also argued that the Turkish firm should have been given proper notice before such action was taken against it. "The notice has to say what is the proposed punishment based on the gravamen of facts. It is not a Carte Blanche. Record reasons in writing, not in your mind," he said.
Celebi Airport Services India, which is part of Turkiye-based Celebi, offers services at nine airports, including Mumbai, Delhi, Cochin, Kannur, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Goa (GOX), Ahmedabad and Chennai.
"... the security clearance in r/o Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd is hereby revoked with immediate effect in the interest of national security," the BCAS order noted.
As a result, the company's operations across several Indian airports were hit and its contracts with major airport operators, including MIAL, Adani, and DIAL, were terminated.
Following its security clearance revocation, the Turkish firm moved the Delhi High Court against the government order, claiming that vague reasons were cited while revoking its license and that its clearance was revoked without any prior notice or warning. It further argued that the Centre's action would affect several jobs and its investors’ confidence.
Justice Sachin Datta had reserved the order on May 23 after hearing arguments from Celebi Airport Services India, Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management, and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta representing the government.
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