The Indian government is opposing a plea from Turkish firm Çelebi Airport Services India following the revocation of its security clearance. The Ministry of Civil Aviation, through the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), withdrew Çelebi's clearance on May 15, 2025, citing national security concerns under the Aircraft Security Rules, particularly Rule 12, which allows for cancellation of a license if there's a potential threat. This action was taken after Turkey's support for Pakistan during recent tensions, including condemnation of India's strikes across the border after the Pahalgam terror attack.

Çelebi, a ground handling and cargo operator in the Indian aviation sector for over 15 years, employs over 10,000 people and serves nine airports. The company's security clearance was initially granted in November 2022. Following the revocation, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) terminated its contracts with Çelebi, and Indothai, an Indian firm, has taken over ground handling services at Mumbai Airport.

Çelebi has challenged the revocation in the Delhi High Court, arguing that the government's decision was arbitrary and lacked specific reasons. The company claims the decision impacts jobs and investor confidence, and that "vague" national security concerns were cited without reasoning. Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Çelebi, emphasized the company's 17 years of operation in India without any prior incidents and stated that no notice was given before the revocation. Çelebi clarified that while it has Turkish ownership, the operational and managerial control of its Indian entity is managed by an India-based team, and it has maintained a clean track record for over a decade at major airports. The company further stated that its "majority end control" lies with globally reputed companies that are neither incorporated in Turkey nor of Turkish origin.

Representing the Central government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta expressed national security concerns, stating that the "enemy can try 10 times and succeed once; [the] country has to succeed all the time." He argued that the government had received inputs indicating it would be hazardous to leave airport and cargo handling activities in the hands of this company, particularly given the sensitivity of these operations where personnel have access to all areas of the airport. The Court responded by saying, "The rule is better safe than sorry." Justice Sachin Datta noted the sensitivity of the issue, observing that prior notice could be counterproductive, potentially allowing for actions inimical to national security. Mehta also argued that in matters involving national security, the "doctrine of proportionality" does not apply, and the Civil Aviation Ministry reserves the right to revoke security clearance without specific reasons.

The Delhi High Court is continuing to hear the case, with the next hearing scheduled for May 21, 2025. The court has asked the Centre to specify under which provisions the security clearance to Çelebi was revoked.