5 hours ago
Last Updated:May 16, 2025, 20:32 IST
Amid growing public anger in India over Turkey’s support to Pakistan, the Indian government on Thursday revoked Celebi’s security clearance in the "interest of national security”.
Turkey-based Celebi has launched a legal challenge to New Delhi's decision to overturn its security clearance.
Turkey-based Celebi, which provides airport ground handling in India, on Friday launched a legal challenge against New Delhi’s decision to cancel its security clearance with immediate effect, arguing that "vague" national security concerns were cited without reasoning.
The cancellation of Celebi’s security clearance came after Turkey sided with Pakistan amid the ongoing India-Pakistan tensions following Operation Sindoor. Notably, the Indian government on Thursday revoked Celebi’s security clearance in the “interest of national security".
Celebi Airport Services India asked the Delhi High Court to set aside that decision, arguing it would impact 3,791 jobs and investor confidence, and was issued without any warning to the company.
‘Mere rhetoric of national security without elaborating upon in what manner is an entity a threat to national security is unsustainable in law," the company said in the filing, Reuters reported. The order “fails to disclose any specific or substantive reason except for a vague and general reference to ‘national security’… (it) provides no reasons or justification," it added.
Celebi in its filing said that while its shareholders were registered in Turkey, “majority end control" of the group is held by companies that do not have Turkish incorporation or origin.
In revoking Celebi’s clearance on Thursday, India’s junior aviation minister Murlidhar Mohol said on X the government had received requests from across India to ban Celebi. “Recognising the seriousness of the issue and the call to protect national interests, we have taken cognizance of these requests," he said.
The Shiv Sena party, a key ally in Modi’s government, had held protests against Celebi in Mumbai this week, demanding the city’s airport sever ties with it.
Celebi in its filing said it was providing ground handling services at airports in New Delhi, Kerala, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Goa.
It had undergone background checks and security verifications by various national security and intelligence agencies in India before starting work, it added.
Delhi Airport late on Thursday said on X it had "officially ended its association with Celebi" for ground handling and cargo operations.
(With agency inputs)
Location : First Published:News world Turkish Aviation Firm Celebi Goes To Court After Centre Revokes Security Clearance
