‘Unprecedented threat’: Delhi HC junks Turkish-based Celebi’s plea against revocation of security clearance; cites national security | India News
NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court on Monday junked the petition of Turkey-based firm Çelebi, which challenged the revocation of its security clearance by aviation watchdog Bureau of Civil Aviation Safety (BCAS) in the “interest of national security”. Earlier on May 15, BCAS revoked the security clearance of Celebi after Turkey supported Pakistan and condemned India’s strike on terror camps in Pakistan and PoK. Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd and Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India Pvt Ltd are responsible for ground handling and cargo terminal functions at various airports in India. Celebi has been operating for over 15 years and has over 10,000 people. It offers its services at nine airports. The clearance was originally granted in November 2022, but the aviation security watchdog deemed Celebi’s continued operations in India “hazardous” in the current geopolitical climate.“… 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 BCAS said in its order.Centre flags ‘unprecedented’ threatThe central government defended the revocation in court, arguing that intelligence inputs raised an ‘unprecedented’ threat to aviation security linked to Celebi’s operations. On May 19, the government formally said that the move was based on sensitive inputs that indicated Celebi’s continued presence posed a national security risk.Celebi cites natural justiceRepresenting Celebi, the company’s legal counsel argued that the Centre’s decision violated principles of natural justice. They contended that the director general of BCAS failed to provide a proper show-cause notice or offer Celebi a hearing before taking punitive action.
