Celebi Sues India Over Revoked Security Clearance
Turkish aviation services provider Celebi Aviation has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court challenging the Indian government’s decision to revoke its security clearance. The move, made amid heightened India-Pakistan tensions, has effectively brought Celebi’s operations at key Indian airports to a standstill.
In its filing, Celebi argued that the government’s order lacked transparency, citing only “national security” without specific evidence or explanation. The company maintains that such vague reasoning not only damages its business interests but also undermines India’s credibility as a destination for foreign investment in critical infrastructure sectors.
Operations Suspended Across Major Indian Airports
The revoked security clearance has disrupted Celebi’s ground-handling services at several major Indian airports, including those in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Goa.
Celebi claims this decision endangers nearly 3,800 Indian jobs and affects a broad international investment base. While the firm is based in Turkey, its ownership includes institutional investors from the US, UK, Canada, UAE, Singapore, and other Western nations.
The company insists it has always complied with Indian regulations and security protocols, and that its contributions to India’s aviation infrastructure are being unfairly jeopardized due to geopolitical concerns.
Political Pressure and Public Backlash
The decision to revoke Celebi’s clearance followed growing public anger over Turkey’s diplomatic alignment with Pakistan amid the recent cross-border conflict, especially during and after India’s Operation Sindoor.
Civil Aviation Minister of State Murlidhar Mohol stated that his ministry acted on “multiple complaints” and “public sentiment,” hinting that security and nationalist concerns could not be ignored.
Adding to the pressure, the Shiv Sena demanded immediate removal of Celebi from Mumbai Airport contracts, citing national security and loyalty concerns. Soon after, Delhi Airport officially terminated its engagement with the company.
Court Challenge and Future Implications
Celebi’s petition in the Delhi High Court argues that the security clearance was revoked without procedural fairness or objective findings. The firm is requesting that its clearance be reinstated to resume full operations and protect its contractual obligations in India.
The case is expected to be heard shortly and could have wider implications for foreign vendors operating in India’s high-security infrastructure sectors. It will also test how national security concerns are balanced against economic and legal obligations in a competitive aviation market.
The outcome could potentially redefine how India evaluates and handles foreign stakeholders amid complex geopolitical pressures.
