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Informist, Monday, May 19, 2025

 

NEW DELHI – The Delhi High Court on Monday asked the government to show the "genuine apprehension" it had in revoking the security clearance of Celebi Airport Services India Pvt. Ltd. and Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India Pvt. Ltd. for ground handling operations. The high court will hear the case against the security clearance revocation on Wednesday. 

 

On May 15, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security had revoked the security clearance of the companies due to national security reasons. It was alleged that the companies had links to Turkey, which had publicly backed Pakistan and criticised India's airstrikes on terror camps across the border, triggering a diplomatic fallout. 

 

The petitioners had argued that the government's move was in violation of Articles 14 and 19(1)(g) of the Constitution and was also contrary to the principles of natural justice, as no opportunity of hearing was provided. Appearing for the petitioners, Advocate Mukul Rohatgi denied the companies' Turkish links and said that the government's order was passed because of public perception. "Public perception cannot be used to take away employment. We are not a rogue company," said Rohatgi.

 

Rohatgi said that the petitioners were working for 17 years and the onus was on the government to show that the apprehension was grave and that no notice was required to be issued. There can't be carte blanche for national security, said Rohatgi. 

 

Appearing for the government, Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta said it was a national security issue. "We are dealing with the most delicate subject of civil aviation and national security and sovereignty of the nation... It (the government) reserves the right to revoke without assigning any reason," said Mehta. 

 

Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 to strike at terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for last month's Pahalgam terrorist attack in which 26 people, mainly tourists, were killed. Following the Indian strikes, Pakistan resorted to artillery shelling and drone attacks on military and civilian areas at multiple places in the country. India, in response, struck Pakistani airbases and damaged key military infrastructure. On May 10, the two sides agreed to a ceasefire.  End

 

Reported by Surya Tripathi

Edited by Saji George Titus

 

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