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Informist, Thursday, Jul. 31, 2025

 

NEW DELHI – The Delhi High Court on Thursday rejected a plea by Celebi Ground Handling India Pvt. Ltd. against the government's order to revoke security clearance for ground handling operations. The high court had on Jul. 7 dismissed similar pleas by Celebi Airport Services India Pvt. Ltd. and Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India Pvt. Ltd. 

 

Celebi Ground Handling's plea was identical to the issue raised by its related companies in other petitions, which was "squarely covered" in the Jul. 7 order, Justice Tejas Karia said.

 

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security had, on May 15, revoked the security clearance of the companies, citing national security reasons. It was alleged that the companies had links with Turkey, which had publicly backed Pakistan and criticised India's air strikes on terrorist camps across the border, triggering a diplomatic fracas.

 

The petitioners had argued that the government's move was in violation of Article 14 and Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution and was also contrary to the principles of natural justice as they were not given an opportunity to be heard. Appearing for the petitioners, Mukul Rohatgi denied that the companies had any Turkish links and said the government's order was passed on the basis of public perception. "Public perception cannot be used to take away employment," Rohatgi said. "We are not a rogue company."

 

The petitioners had been working in the country 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, Rohatgi said. There can't be carte blanche for national security, he added. 

 

Appearing for the government, Solicitor General 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 (security clearance) without assigning any reason," Mehta said.

 

Indian armed forces launched "Operation Sindoor" on May 7 to strike at terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the terrorist attack in Pahalgam 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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