Centre defends revocation of security clearance to Turkish firm Celebi in high court on national security grounds

The Government opposed the petitions filed by Turkish firm Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd and another entity in Delhi High Court on Monday, challenging Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS)'s decision to withdraw their security clearance. During the hearing before Justice Sachin Datta, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta represented the Centre and claimed that the decision was taken considering national security concerns based on specific intelligence inputs.The aviation security regulator BCAS cancelled the security permits shortly after Turkey supported Pakistan and criticised India's counter-terrorism operations in the adjacent nation.The companies were responsible for managing ground handling operations and cargo terminal services. "I am saying that it is a national security issue and the order (revoking clearance) reflects the same," Mehta said.Representing the companies, Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi contested that the decision stemmed from "public perception", which was not a valid justification. He added that the clearance was cancelled without providing any explanation or chance for representation."It appears to me that is because of public perception because of the shareholding of the company of Turkish nationals," Rohatgi said.He pointed out that the petitioners had been operating for 17 years, employing 14,000 people.Justice Datta questioned the court's authority to review such decisions and whether prior notification was required under these circumstances. The next hearing is scheduled for May 21.This comes as the government last week withdrew security authorisation for Celebi and its affiliated firms, citing national security interests. This decision affects Celebi's ground handling services, which are security-sensitive operations, across nine key Indian airports: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Goa, Cochin, and Kannur.Ground handling operations at these sites are managed by Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd (CASIPL) and two other associated companies."The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has revoked Celebi's security clearance on grounds related to national security. Nothing is above the security of our nation and our fellow citizens. National interest and public safety are paramount and non-negotiable," said Union civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu.The immediate implementation of this directive was interpreted as a signal from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government that nations seen as Pakistan's supporters will encounter economic repercussions. The situation developed after Pakistan allegedly utilised Turkish-manufactured drones during Operation Sindoor to strike Indian urban centres, leading to diplomatic tensions.Read more: Turkey-based Celebi Aviation moves high court over Centre's 'vague' reason for revoking security clearance