Turkish ground handling firm Celebi Airport Services has approached the division bench of the Delhi High Court, contesting a recent ruling by a single judge that upheld the Centre’s decision to revoke its security clearance over national security and geopolitical concerns.
On July 7, Justice Sachin Datta dismissed Celebi’s petition challenging the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security’s (BCAS) May 15 order, citing “compelling national security and geopolitical considerations” as the rationale for the government’s action.
The court sided with the BCAS, holding that the agency had acted within its authority to avert potential threats such as espionage and misuse of the firm’s operational capabilities, which extend to highly sensitive civil aviation infrastructure including airside access, aircraft, cargo, and passenger systems.
Justice Datta also ruled that principles of natural justice—such as the right to a hearing—may be overridden when national security is at stake, stating that the sensitivity of Celebi’s access to key aviation zones could pose serious threats if compromised.
The revocation of Celebi’s security clearance, which effectively halted its ground handling operations across Indian airports, came amid rising India-Turkey tensions. The government reportedly viewed Turkey’s diplomatic and military alignment with Pakistan, especially its statements following the April Pahalgam terror attack and during India’s subsequent Operation Sindoor, as grounds for concern.
In its fresh plea, Celebi contends that the revocation was in violation of Rule 12 of the Civil Aviation Security Rules, which mandates that the Director General of BCAS must provide a hearing before cancelling security clearance. The firm argued that the order was issued without affording it an opportunity to be heard and lacked substantive justification, branding the decision as “vague” and “unsustainable in law.”
Celebi also challenged the single judge’s acceptance of the government’s confidential “sealed cover” submission of intelligence inputs, which were not disclosed to the company, calling it a denial of natural justice.
The Centre, in its earlier defense, maintained that revealing sensitive reasons or inviting responses from Celebi would have defeated the purpose of the security move. However, it also claimed that Celebi had submitted a representation a day prior to the revocation, which was considered in the final decision.
The Turkish firm’s appeal comes shortly after the Bombay High Court vacated its own stay that had restrained Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) from proceeding with bids to replace Celebi’s subsidiary for ground and bridge handling services. Referring to the Delhi High Court’s decision, the Bombay High Court observed that Celebi had already lost its legal challenge, leaving no justification to block MIAL’s replacement plans.
The matter before the Delhi High Court’s division bench is expected to be listed for hearing next week.
