Delhi High Court to hear pleas from Turkish firm Celebi against BCAS decision amid ‘national security’ concerns
The Delhi High Court is set to hear two petitions on Monday filed by Turkish firm Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd and another company, challenging the BCAS decision to revoke their security clearance citing concerns related to national security.
The security clearance of the firms was revoked days after Turkey-backed Pakistan condemned India’s strikes on terror camps in the neighbouring country, PTI reported.
The pleas, which were filed on Friday, are listed for hearing before Justice Sachin Datta on May 19. The two petitions have been filed by Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd and Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India Pvt Ltd.
Celebi, operating in the Indian aviation sector for over 15 years and employing over 10,000 people, offers its services at nine airports. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), in an order, said, “… the security clearance in r/o Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd is hereby revoked with immediate effect in the interest of national security.”
The security clearance to the company, part of Turkey’s Celebi, was given in November 2022. Celebi handles around 58,000 flights and 5,40,00 tonne of cargo annually in India, according to its website.
It is present at Mumbai, Delhi, Cochin, Kannur, Bangalore, Goa, Hyderabad Ahmedabad and Chennai airports.
Pakistan had also used Turkish drones on a large scale in the military conflict with India. In a statement issued earlier, Celebi Aviation India said it remains in full compliance with Indian aviation, national security, and tax regulations, and operates with complete transparency, PTI reported.
The company denied all allegations concerning its ownership and operations in India, reaffirming its strong and continued commitment to the country’s aviation sector.
Meanwhile, Delhi airport operator DIAL announced that it has officially terminated its partnership with the Celebi entities managing ground handling and cargo operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport. Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd was responsible for ground handling, while Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India Pvt Ltd oversaw cargo terminal operations.
