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Litigation News

Delhi High Court dismisses another plea by Turkish firm Çelebi against revocation of security clearance

Çelebi's security clearance was revoked by the Indian government after the four-day Indo-Pak military conflict during which Turkey openly backed Pakistan.

Bhavini Srivastava

The Delhi High Court on Thursday dismissed a plea by Turkish firm Celebi Ground Handling India Private Limited challenging the Central government's decision to revoke its security clearance, which led to the termination of its services at Indian airports [Celebi Ground Handling India Private Limited v. Union of India].

Justice Tejas Karia passed the judgment.

Justice Tejas Karia

Notably, similar petitions by related entities, Çelebi Airport Services India and Çelebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management were recently dismissed by another single judge Bench comprising Justice Sachin Datta on July 7.

The Court, at the time, had reasoned that national security considerations can override principles of natural justice, while dismissing Çelebi's argument that its security clearance was revoked without proper notice.

The Central government's decision to revoke Çelebi's security clearance followed the four-day Indo-Pak military conflict during which the Turkish government had openly backed Pakistan.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation, acting through the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), had withdrawn Çelebi’s security clearance on May 15, 2025, invoking national security grounds.

Çelebi, a wholly-owned Indian subsidiary of Turkish parent company Çelebi Aviation Holding, challenged the move before the High Court shortly after.

The company had termed the Indian government's justification for its decision as “vague” and “unsubstantiated,” asserting that such actions jeopardise foreign investor confidence and threaten the livelihoods of over 3,800 Indian employees.

The company also clarified that while it has Turkish ownership, operational and managerial control of its Indian entity is handled by an India-based team, and that it has maintained a clean track record for over a decade at major airports.

Following the May 15 revocation, the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) had terminated its contracts with Çelebi. In Mumbai, domestic operator Indothai was brought in to take over the firm’s ground handling services. Çelebi has filed a plea challenging such measures before the Bombay High Court as well. Similar cases are also pending before the Madras High Court and the Gujarat High Court.

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