The Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed Turkish firm Celebi’s plea challenging the revocation of its security clearance by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), citing overriding concerns of national security.
Justice Sachin Datta delivered the judgment rejecting multiple petitions filed by Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd and Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India Pvt Ltd. The verdict had been reserved on May 23.
The BCAS, a central aviation watchdog, had revoked Celebi’s security clearance on May 15, shortly after Turkey publicly supported Pakistan and criticized India’s air strikes on terror camps. Celebi, which has been operating in India for over 15 years, handles ground and cargo operations at several major airports and employs more than 10,000 personnel across nine locations.
In court, the Centre defended the revocation, stating that sensitive inputs pointed to a potential aviation security risk, making Celebi’s continued operations untenable under the prevailing circumstances.
Celebi’s counsel argued that the action violated principles of natural justice, particularly citing the absence of a prior hearing and justification as mandated by the Aircraft Security Rules. The company also claimed that the Directorate General of BCAS had not followed due process before imposing the punitive measure.
However, the government maintained that the decision was based on confidential intelligence inputs and was taken “in the interest of national security.” On May 19, the Centre submitted that any further engagement with Celebi in India’s aviation infrastructure could prove hazardous in the existing geopolitical scenario.
The BCAS, in its May order, explicitly stated: “The security clearance in respect of Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd is hereby revoked with immediate effect in the interest of national security.” Notably, Celebi had received its most recent security clearance in November 2022.
