Team News Riveting
New Delhi, May 19
It is better to be safe than sorry, the Delhi High Court remarked on Monday while hearing a petition by Turkey-based company Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd against the revocation of its security clearance in the wake of the country’s support to Pakistan amid tensions with India.
On May 15, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) revoked Celebi’s security clearance, citing “national security”, days after Turkey backed Pakistan and condemned India’s strikes on terror camps in the neighbouring country and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir in the Operation Sindoor. The security clearance to the company was given in November 2022.
The Celebi moved the Court contending that the Indian government’s decision is “arbitrary and devoid of specific reasons”.
Justice Sachin Datta will continue hearing the case on Wednesday. Appearing for the Central government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta expressed national security concerns over the firm, stating, “The enemy can try 10 times and succeed once, country has to succeed all the time.”
The Court said in reply, “The rule is better safe than sorry.”
Çelebi, a wholly-owned Indian subsidiary of Turkish parent company Çelebi Aviation Holding, argued that the government’s order lacked any prior notice or opportunity to respond. The company described the justification 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 revocation, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) terminated its contracts with Çelebi. In Mumbai domestic operator Indothai has been brought in to take over the firm’s ground handling services.
