Delhi High Court is hearing Turkish firm Çelebi’s plea against the revocation of its security clearance by the Indian government. The case highlights a clash between national security concerns and foreign investment rights.
New Delhi: Today, On Monday 19, the Delhi High Court heard a petition filed by Çelebi Airport Services India, a ground handling and cargo company, against the Indian Government’s decision to cancel its security clearance.
The company is a fully-owned Indian subsidiary of Turkish firm Çelebi Aviation Holding.
Justice Sachin Datta presided over the case and will continue hearing arguments on Wednesday.
The Central Government was represented by Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta. He raised serious national security concerns regarding Çelebi’s operations in Indian airports.
SG Mehta told the court,
“The enemy can try 10 times and succeed once, country has to succeed all the time.”
The Delhi High Court responded, saying,
“The rule is better safe than sorry.”
Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Çelebi, argued that the decision to revoke security clearance was unjustified and without proper notice.
He said,
“Public perception cannot be used to take away employment. We are not a rogue company.”
He pointed out that Çelebi has been working in India for the past 17 years without any issues and the government did not give any notice before taking such a harsh decision.
Justice Datta acknowledged the seriousness of the matter and observed,
“Notice could be counterproductive. That you may do something inimical to national security the moment notice is given to you.”
SG Mehta further emphasized that the government had received sensitive inputs and acted in the interest of national security.
He said that allowing the company to operate in such a sensitive sector could be dangerous.
he explained,
“There are two categories of contracts—airport handling and cargo handling. These are extremely sensitive operations where personnel know every nook and cranny of the airport,”
The Ministry of Civil Aviation, through the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), officially withdrew Çelebi’s security clearance on May 15, 2025.
The decision was taken under Rule 12 of the Aircraft Security Rules, which allows cancellation of a license if it is believed that there is a possible threat to national security.
This action comes during a time of increasing diplomatic tension between India and Turkey, particularly after Turkey’s vocal support for Pakistan during the recent military conflict under Operation Sindoor.
Çelebi approached the Delhi High Court claiming that the government’s move was “arbitrary and devoid of specific reasons”.
The company further said that the order was passed without giving them any notice or chance to present their side.
Çelebi described the decision as “vague” and “unsubstantiated,” warning that such actions could scare away foreign investors and impact the jobs of more than 3,800 Indian employees who work for them.
Çelebi also clarified that even though it is owned by a Turkish company, the operations and management of its Indian branch are completely handled by an Indian team.
The company added that it has maintained a clean record in India for over ten years, handling services at major airports.
Following the security clearance cancellation, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) ended all contracts with Çelebi.
In Mumbai, a domestic company named Indothai has taken over Çelebi’s ground handling responsibilities.
Çelebi was represented in court by Senior Advocates Sandeep Sethi and Darpan Wadhwa, along with Advocate Ritu Bhalla (Partner) from the law firm Luthra & Luthra.
The Union of India was also represented by Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma.
The hearing continues as the Court weighs national security concerns against procedural fairness and the interests of foreign investment and employment.
