The Delhi High Court on Monday underscored the importance of national security, stating "it is better to be safe than sorry," while hearing a petition filed by Turkey-based Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd. The company challenged the Centre’s decision to revoke its security clearance following Turkey’s vocal support for Pakistan and condemnation of India’s military actions against the neighbouring country.
The plea comes in the wake of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) withdrawing security clearance for Celebi Aviation — a key player in ground handling services across Indian airports. The decision was made in the interest of national security, authorities said, in light of deteriorating diplomatic ties and geopolitical tensions after Turkey backed Pakistan on the global stage.
Representing the Union government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told Justice Sachin Datta that the decision to revoke Celebi's clearance was taken based on sensitive inputs, which suggested that the continuation of the company's operations could pose risks in the current security environment.
“This is a matter of national security. The order speaks for itself,” Mehta argued. He added, “An enemy only needs to succeed once, while security agencies must succeed every single time. Civil aviation security must be placed on the highest pedestal.”
The Solicitor General also submitted classified documents in a sealed cover to support the government’s position.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Celebi, contested the government's decision, alleging that it was taken unilaterally without offering the company a chance to present its case.
“We have been operating in India for 17 years without any incident or fault. Our services span ground handling and cargo operations across major airports. This seems to have happened due to a misinformed public perception,” Rohatgi told the court.
He further said that the order revoking security clearance was issued in a single line, without elaboration or hearing, and that basing such a serious decision on perceived public sentiment is not justified.
Rohatgi urged the court to examine the shareholding structure of Celebi Airports and highlighted the impact of the decision on thousands of employees. “Public perception cannot be the reason to snatch the livelihood of 14,000 people,” he said.
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Celebi also submitted confidential documents related to its agreements with the Indian government in a sealed cover. The court reviewed these submissions and scheduled the next hearing for May 21. While the court did not issue any interim relief, it sided with the Centre’s stance on prioritising national safety. Emphasising the high stakes involved, Justice Datta remarked, “The rule is: better safe than sorry.”
The revocation of Celebi’s clearance is seen against the backdrop of increasing strategic friction between India and Turkey. During recent hostilities, Pakistan is reported to have deployed Turkish-made drones, all of which were successfully intercepted by Indian air defence systems.
Celebi Aviation has been operating in India for over 15 years and employs more than 10,000 people. The company provides ground handling and cargo services at nine major airports, including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Goa, Cochin, Kannur, and Ahmedabad. According to its website, Celebi handles around 58,000 flights and over 540,000 tonnes of cargo annually. Its most recent security clearance was granted in November 2022.
In a prior statement, Celebi Aviation India reaffirmed its adherence to Indian aviation, tax, and security regulations and rejected all allegations related to its ownership or operations. The company maintained that it remains committed to operating transparently and upholding the highest standards of compliance within India’s aviation ecosystem.
Also Read: India revokes security clearance of Turkish aviation firm
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