Celebi Aviation Services India Pvt Ltd told the Delhi High Court on Wednesday that it is an Indian company with Indian employees, as it challenged the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security’s (BCAS) decision to revoke its security clearance earlier this month citing “national security” concerns.
Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Celebi, argued that the decision was arbitrary and violated the principles of natural justice. He told the court that Celebi has been operating in India for 17 years without a single blemish. “This is a matter of grave importance. My contracts with airport operators are being cancelled,” Rohatgi submitted before the bench headed by Justice Sachin Datta.
The BCAS order, dated May 15, came soon after Turkey expressed support for Pakistan and criticised India’s cross-border strikes on terror camps. The timing of the order has raised speculation about possible political motivations behind the regulatory action. However, Rohatgi kept his arguments focused on legal procedure rather than geopolitical implications.
He pointed out that the aviation security regulatory framework had undergone significant changes since earlier court rulings. Referring to past judgments like the one by Justice Kurian Joseph, Rohatgi noted they were based on the Aircraft Rules of 1937, which are no longer applicable. "We now operate under new rules introduced in 2011. Currently, Rule 12 governs these matters," he said.
Rohatgi stressed that Rule 12 mandates a fair hearing before a security clearance can be revoked. “The principles of natural justice must apply. I was not even given a notice. The rules say I must be given one,” he argued. “I'm not insisting on a copy of the reasons. I’m saying I was handicapped because I wasn’t given access to the material against me.”
When the bench questioned whether the court could compel the authorities to share documents, Rohatgi reiterated that the accused must be informed of the allegations. “Had I known the accusation, I could have offered a solution. If the issue is that some employees are from Turkey, I’ll replace them. What more can I say?” he added.
Rohatgi also clarified Celebi’s operations, saying the company does not run retail shops or duty-free outlets but manages passenger handling, luggage, and check-ins at airports. “They’ve simply shifted my 10,000 employees to other ground-handling companies. The workforce remains — it’s Celebi that’s being ousted,” he stated.
Also Read: India revokes security clearance of Turkish aviation firm
Centre Cites National Security Concerns
On the other side, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, defended the decision to revoke security clearance. He argued the move was necessary due to national security inputs suggesting that Celebi and similar companies could pose a risk in the current environment.
“This is a national security issue. The order reflects that. The enemy needs to succeed just once, while our security agencies must succeed every time. Civil aviation security must be held to the highest standard,” Mehta submitted. Though founded in Istanbul, Celebi Aviation operates extensively in India, offering ground-handling and cargo services at nine major airports, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore. The company manages about 58,000 flights and handles 5.4 lakh tonnes of cargo annually.
At Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Celebi reportedly controls around 70% of all ground-handling operations. Its core responsibilities include ground handling, cargo transport, and airside operations — all highly regulated services given the sensitive security environment at airports.
The High Court will continue to hear the matter, which has significant implications for India's aviation sector, foreign investments, and regulatory oversight tied to national security.
Also Read: Delhi HC backs Centre's move against Turkey firm on security
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