Delhi HC dismisses Turkish firm Celebi’s plea against security clearance revocation
The Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed a petition filed by Turkish firm Celebi Aviation challenging the revocation of its security clearance by the Union government amid tensions between India and Pakistan in May, Bar and Bench reported.
On May 15, the Union government withdrew Celebi’s clearance “in the interest of national security”, following public anger about Turkish companies supplying weapons to Pakistan.
The ground and bridge handling firm was barred from operating at several Indian airports, including Delhi and Mumbai.
During earlier proceedings, advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Celebi, argued that the company had been punished without being informed why it was being subjected to such harsh measures.
Rohatgi said this violated procedural safeguards, including those laid out in Rule 12 of the 2023 Aircraft Security Rules.
The rule grants the Director General of Civil Aviation the power to suspend or cancel security clearances and programmes, but subject to procedural safeguards.
The Turkish firm should have been given proper notice before being subjected to such measures, the advocate added.
Such “complete violation of natural justice principles” rendered the revocation of Celebi’s security clearance void, Rohatgi said.
The advocate had also objected to the decision by the Union government to submit its reasons for the revocation in a sealed cover accessible only to the court.
He said that the firm had no ties to the Turkish government...
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