Delhi High Court Upholds Government’s Revocation of Security Clearance for Turkish Aviation Firm Celebi

The Delhi High Court has dismissed the petitions filed by Turkish aviation firm Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd and Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India Pvt Ltd, challenging the Indian government’s decision to revoke their security clearance on grounds of national security.

Justice Sachin Datta ruled in favor of the Centre, upholding the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security’s (BCAS) order dated May 15, which withdrew Celebi’s security clearance. The company, operating ground handling and cargo services at nine Indian airports and employing over 10,000 people, claimed the move violated Aircraft Security Rules by not offering prior notice or a hearing. However, the Court sided with the government’s assertion that the revocation was necessary due to “unprecedented threats” to aviation security.

The revocation followed growing public and political pressure after Turkey publicly supported Pakistan and criticized India’s strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir (PoK). The Centre, through an affidavit submitted on May 19, defended the immediate action, citing sensitive security inputs that allegedly linked Celebi’s continued presence to potential risks.

Celebi, part of Turkey’s Celebi Group, has operated in India for over 15 years. The security clearance in question had been issued as recently as November 2022. With this High Court ruling, BCAS’s order remains in effect, directly impacting Celebi’s operations across major Indian airports.