Turkey-based Celebi, a company providing airport ground handling services in India, has filed a legal challenge against the Indian government’s decision to revoke its security clearance, claiming the move was based on vague and unsubstantiated national security concerns. The clearance was withdrawn amid rising public anger in India over Turkey’s perceived support for Pakistan in the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict. On Thursday, the Indian government revoked Celebi’s security clearance, citing the “interest of national security.”
In a court filing dated May 16 and reviewed by Reuters, Celebi requested the Delhi High Court to overturn the decision, arguing that the revocation, issued without prior warning, threatens nearly 3,800 jobs and undermines investor confidence. The company stated that the government’s reasoning lacked any detailed explanation or evidence, describing the national security claim as mere rhetoric unsupported by law. The filing criticized the order for failing to provide specific or substantive reasons, offering only a general reference to national security without justification.
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The Indian government has yet to respond to requests for comment, and the case is expected to be heard on Monday. Celebi also noted that while its shareholders are registered in Turkey, the majority control lies with companies outside of Turkish incorporation or origin.
India’s junior aviation minister, Murlidhar Mohol, justified the revocation on social media, stating that the government acted after receiving multiple requests from across the country to ban Celebi in order to protect national interests. The Shiv Sena party, an important ally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, organized protests against Celebi in Mumbai this week, demanding the city’s airport end its association with the company.
Celebi’s filing highlighted that it was providing ground handling services at airports in New Delhi, Kerala, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Goa, and that it had previously undergone thorough background checks and security verifications by various Indian national security and intelligence agencies before commencing operations.
Following the government’s order, Delhi Airport announced on Thursday that it had officially terminated its contract with Celebi for ground handling and cargo operations. Reuters also reported that Air India is lobbying Indian authorities to block a leasing deal between rival IndiGo and Turkish Airlines, citing concerns over business impact and security issues related to Turkey’s support for Pakistan.
