New Delhi, India – Turkish aviation services firm Celebi has filed a legal challenge in the Delhi High Court after the Indian government abruptly revoked its security clearance, citing undefined national security concerns. The move comes amid escalating political tensions between India and Turkey over Ankara’s perceived support for Pakistan.
Celebi Airport Services India, which operates ground handling services at major Indian airports including New Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kerala, and Goa, argues that the government’s decision lacked transparency and procedural fairness. In a court filing dated May 16 and reviewed by Reuters, Celebi called the government’s explanation “vague,” warning that the decision could jeopardize nearly 3,800 jobs and damage investor confidence.
“The mere rhetoric of national security, without elaborating on how the entity poses a threat, is unsustainable in law,” Celebi said in its filing. The company also claimed that the order failed to provide any “specific or substantive reason” for the sudden cancellation.
The Indian government has not publicly disclosed its rationale and has yet to respond to the legal challenge. The case is expected to be heard on Monday.
Tensions were heightened following remarks by India’s junior aviation minister, Murlidhar Mohol, who stated that the clearance was revoked in response to “numerous requests” across the country to ban Celebi, emphasizing the need to protect national interests. His comments, posted on X, followed protests in Mumbai by Shiv Sena, a key ally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling coalition, demanding that the city’s airport sever ties with the company.
Celebi noted in its filing that, while its shareholders are registered in Turkey, the majority control of the company lies with entities that are not of Turkish origin or incorporation. It also emphasized that it had passed extensive security vetting by Indian authorities before commencing operations.
Shortly after the government’s decision, Delhi Airport announced on X that it had officially ended its association with Celebi for ground handling and cargo operations.
The controversy comes on the heels of a broader geopolitical spat. Reuters also reported that national carrier Air India is pressuring officials to block rival IndiGo’s leasing agreement with Turkish Airlines, citing competitive disadvantages and concerns over Istanbul’s alignment with Islamabad.
As the legal battle unfolds, the outcome could have far-reaching implications for foreign investment and the aviation sector in India.
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