Celebi ban: Delhi High Court upholds Centre's decision to cancel clearance, says it posed 'risk to airport security'

The Delhi High Court on Monday upheld the Centre's decision to revoke security clearance for Turkish aviation firm Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd.

Justice Sachin Datta, in his order, said national security is involved in the government's decision while dismissing the petitions filed by Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd.

The judge said it was necessary to "eliminate the possibility of espionage and/or dual use of logistics capabilities," pointing out that there it would risk the security of the country during external conflicts.

“Ground handling services at airports offer deep access to airside operations, aircrafts, cargo, passenger information system and security zones. Such unbridled access to vital installations and infrastructure naturally elevates the need for strict security vetting for operators, and their foreign affiliations," the court observed.

Celebi, in its plea, argued that the ban was issued without prior notice and the government did no give substantive reasoning. It added that 3,791 jobs would be affected because of the ban.

“Mere rhetoric of national security without elaborating upon in what manner is an entity a threat… is unsustainable in law," the company said.

The government, which was represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta pointed out that revealing the reasons for the Centre's actions would have “defeated the purpose” of the very action sought to be taken. The solicitor general added that while renewing Celebi's security clearance in November 2022, the company agreed that its clearance could be cancelled without giving reasons.

On May 15, India's aviation security watchdog Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) revoked Celebi's security clearance over national security issues. The move came days after Turkey supplied Pakistan with lethal drones and condemned India's Operation Sindoor air strikes.

India