Delhi High Court dismisses Celebi’s challenge to revoked security clearance citing “compelling national security considerations.”
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has rejected a legal challenge filed by Celebi Ground Handling India Private Limited, a Turkish-based company, against the Indian government’s decision to cancel its security clearance.
The ruling came on Thursday, with Justice Tejas Karia stating clearly in court: “Dismissed,” while noting that similar legal petitions by related companies had already been rejected by the court earlier.
The background of this case lies in a decision made by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), the aviation security regulator in India, which on May 15 revoked the security clearance of several Celebi Group companies operating in India.
These companies included Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd and Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India Pvt Ltd, both of which are also affiliated with the Turkish-based parent organisation.
Earlier, on July 7, a separate bench of the Delhi High Court had also dismissed the pleas filed by these two companies, upholding the government’s decision to cancel their clearances.
The court, in that hearing, noted that there were
“compelling national security considerations”
involved in the matter.
This observation by the court makes it clear that the decision by BCAS was not arbitrary but rather driven by sensitive security concerns that go beyond commercial interests.
The revocation of the security clearance followed certain diplomatic tensions between India and Turkey. Reports indicated that Turkey had extended support to Pakistan and openly criticised India’s military strikes on terror camps across the border.
These developments raised questions regarding the continued operation of Turkish-linked firms within sensitive sectors like aviation in India.
The court has now consistently upheld the Centre’s stand, asserting that national security cannot be compromised.
In this particular case, Justice Tejas Karia reiterated the court’s earlier stance by dismissing Celebi Ground Handling India’s petition with a single word:
“Dismissed.”
The Delhi High Court’s firm approach underlines that when issues of national security are involved, commercial or corporate interests must take a back seat.
The court’s consistent dismissal of petitions from the Celebi Group of companies — all seeking to challenge the BCAS order — reflects the judiciary’s alignment with the government’s national security assessment.
The central theme across all hearings has remained the same: that the decision to revoke security clearances was not due to business or operational shortcomings, but rather due to foreign policy and security-related concerns.
CASE TITLE:
Celebi Airport Services India Pvt. Ltd. vs Union of India
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