Turkish ground handling and cargo operator Çelebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd on May 19 argued in the Delhi High Court that public perception cannot be the basis for taking away employment of around 14,000 workmen.
"It appears to me that is because of public perception because of the shareholding of the company of Turkish nationals," Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who appeared for behalf of Çelebi Airport Services India said.
He told the high court that the company had been carrying out operations without any blemish for 17 years and the decision was taken based on a public perception that the company’s shareholding consisted of Turkish nationals. Rohatgi added that Celebi's security clearance was revoked without any opportunity of hearing or reason.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appearing for the Central government in his response told the Delhi High Court that Bureau of Civil Aviation Safety (BCAS)'s decision on May 15 was taken in the interest of national security in light of certain inputs that continuing the services of the petitioner companies would be hazardous in the present situation.
“The government had inputs, and it was found necessary that it would be hazardous in this scenario in which the country is, to leave this activity in the hands of this company,” Mehta said, handing over a document to the single bench in sealed cover.
"I am saying that it is a national security issue and the order (revoking clearance) reflects the same," Mehta said infront of Justice Sachin Datta on May 19. The case was adjourned to be heard again on May 21.
Mehta added that the disclosure of reasons behind the BCAS order would be counter productive and prejudicial to national interest, sovereignty and security.
Following Mehta’s submission, justice Datta perused the “inputs” that were presented to court in a sealed cover. The court posted the matter for further hearing on May 21.
Mehta explained to the court that the revocation was rooted in concerns over national security under the Aircraft Security Rules, particularly Rule 12, which permits cancellation of licence where there is a potential threat.
“There are two categories of contracts—airport handling and cargo handling. These are extremely sensitive operations where personnel know every nook and cranny of the airport,” the Mehta argued.
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.
The BCAS on May 15 revoked the security clearance for Turkish ground handling agency Celebi Airport Services India with immediate effect 'in the interest of national security' after Turkey-backed Pakistan and condemned India's strikes on terror camps in the neighbouring country. Celebi Airport Services India is a subsidiaries of Çelebi Aviation Holding, a Turkish company.
Union aviation minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu on May 15 also said that national interest and public safety are paramount and non-negotiable and that "nothing is above the security of our nation and our fellow citizens."
The action was taken amid increasing scrutiny of the company's operations in India following the discovery of Turkish-origin UAV components during the India–Pakistan border escalation under Operation Sindoor. Government said there was “concrete evidence of hostile technologies” being used by Pakistan, allegedly sourced from foreign entities.
Celebi Airport Services India Pvt Ltd and Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India Pvt Ltd were overseeing ground handling and cargo terminal functions, respectively.
Çelebi Aviation India on May 15 strongly denied allegations of political affiliations or ownership links with the Turkish government, after India’s Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) revoked its security clearance citing national security concerns.
“Çelebi Aviation India unequivocally refutes all misleading and factually incorrect allegations circulating on social media regarding the company’s ownership and operations in India,” the company said in an official statement. It added that the organisation is “majority-owned (65 percent) by international institutional investors” from countries including Canada, the US, UK, Singapore, UAE, and Western Europe.
It added that Actera Partners II L.P., a Jersey-registered fund holds 50 percent ownership in Çelebi Havacılık Holding A.Ş. Another 15 percent is held by Alpha Airport Services BV, a Dutch-registered entity.
In its rebuttal, Çelebi said its Indian subsidiary is a “professionally governed, globally operated aviation services company” with no political affiliations. It specifically rejected claims that Sümeyye Erdoğan, daughter of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has any stake in the parent company.
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