HC upholds revocation of Turkish firm Celebi’s security clearance

The Delhi High Court on Thursday dismissed a petition filed by Turkish firm Celebi Ground Handling India Private Limited, which had challenged the Centre’s decision to revoke its security clearance, effectively ending the company’s operations at Indian airports.

The order was passed by Justice Tejas Karia, who refused to interfere with the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s decision, taken on May 15, to withdraw the firm’s clearance on national security grounds.

This is the latest setback for Celebi, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Turkey-based Celebi Aviation Holding, as similar pleas filed by its related entities, Celebi Airport Services India and Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management, were also dismissed earlier this month by another judge, Justice Sachin Datta. In that ruling on July 7, the court had held that considerations of national security can justifiably override the right to prior notice under principles of natural justice.

Celebi’s troubles began shortly after a brief four-day military standoff between India and Pakistan, during which the Turkish government had publicly supported Pakistan. Days later, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), operating under the Civil Aviation Ministry, withdrew Celebi’s security clearance, citing risks to national security.