'People Working With Us Indians, More Than 10,000 Employees': Turkey-Linked Celebi Aviation To Delhi HC
Celebi Aviation challenged the revocation of its security clearance by BCAS in Delhi High Court, arguing the decision was arbitrary and violated natural justice principles.
Celebi Aviation Services told Delhi High Court on Wednesday that the company is India and the employees too, as the firm challenged the decision of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) to revoke its security clearance. According to India Today, the senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Celebi Aviation, told the court that the company has been operating in India for the last 17 years without a single blemish and that the move to revoke clearance was arbitrary and also in violation of the principles of natural justice. It also added that the company employs 17,000 people.
"This is a matter of grave importance. My contracts with airport operators are being cancelled," he submitted.
The Justice Sachin Datta-headed High Court bench was hearing the matter against the May 15 order, which came after Turkey backed Pakistan and also criticised the strikes of India on terror camps.
Rohatgi argued that the legal framework has changed significantly since the earlier precedents and said that Justice Kurian Joseph's judgment dealt with the Aircraft Rules of 1937, which are no longer applicable. He added that there were new rules and the current position is governed by Rule 12, reports India Today.
According to the report, Rohatgi said that Rule 12 mandates that a hearing before any decision, such as revocation of clearance, is taken.
"Wherever such decisions are made, the principles of natural justice kick in. I wasn't even given notice, even though the rule says I have to be given one. I am not insisting on a copy of the reasons. I'm saying I was handicapped because the material wasn't supplied to me," Rohatgi added.
Celebi, which was founded in Istanbul, operates across nine major airports in India, including the Mumbai and Delhi airports. It handles 58,000 flights and 540,000 tonnes of cargo annually.
Hearing To Continue Tomorrow
The bench of Justice Sachin Datta will continue to hear the matter tomorrow. Earlier, solicitor general Tushar Mehta, appearing for Centre, defended the revocation of Celebi’s security clearance and cited concerns regarding the national security.
About Celebi Aviation
According to its website, Celebi has been operating in India for over 15 years, handling ground services for approximately 58,000 flights and managing 5.4 lakh tonnes of cargo annually. It operates at nine airports including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Goa, Chennai, Cochin and Kannur, and employs over 10,000 individuals.
The company received security clearance in November 2022. BCAS, in its revocation order, stated that the clearance was withdrawn “in the interest of national security”.
In a previous statement, Celebi Aviation India said it “remains in full compliance with Indian aviation, national security, and tax regulations”, and operates with “complete transparency”. The firm rejected all allegations regarding its ownership and operations in India, reaffirming its “long-standing commitment” to the Indian aviation sector.
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