On Thursday, the Indian government informed a court that it holds full legal authority to revoke the aviation ground services clearance granted to Turkey-based company Celebi without issuing any prior warning, citing national security concerns as the overriding justification. This marks New Delhi’s firm stance amid escalating tensions tied to the recent India-Pakistan conflict, during which Turkey expressed support for Pakistan, sparking widespread public outrage in India.
Celebi’s clearance was abruptly canceled last week, triggering a public backlash that extended beyond aviation to a broader boycott of Turkish products and tourism. The company has challenged this move in the Delhi High Court, seeking to overturn the cancellation on grounds that it was executed without prior notice and based on vague, unexplained national security claims. However, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued before the court that the government is not obligated to disclose detailed reasons for such actions when national security is involved.
Highlighting precedent, Mehta explained that Indian courts have previously ruled that concerns related to national security can take precedence over procedural fairness, including the usual requirements of natural justice. “In some situations, it is not possible to give reasons for action, and neither is giving a hearing possible,” he told the court, marking the government’s first extensive response to Celebi’s legal challenge.
The government submitted additional classified details in a sealed envelope to Justice Sachin Datta, who is presiding over the case. The court is scheduled to continue hearings on Friday to further examine the matter. Earlier, Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that the issue had been formally raised with the Turkish embassy in New Delhi.
Celebi emphasized in its legal submission that the revocation affects nearly 3,800 jobs and undermines investor confidence. The company also noted that it provides critical ground handling services at several major Indian airports, including those in New Delhi, Kerala, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Goa, underscoring the significant operational impact of the suspension.
In defense of the cancellation, Solicitor General Mehta pointed out that airport ground service providers like Celebi have extensive access to sensitive infrastructure and passenger information, including details of VIP movements, which further justifies the government’s decision to act decisively on national security grounds without prior disclosure.