Turkey s Celebi sues India over vague clearance pullback amid Pakistan conflict

NEW DELHI - Turkey-based Celebi, which provides airport ground handling in India, has launched a legal challenge to New Delhis decision to overturn its security clearance, arguing that vague national security concerns were cited without reasoning.

Amid growing public anger in India about Turkeys stance on Pakistan in the India-Pakistan conflict, the Indian government on Thursday revoked Celebis security clearance in the interest of national security.

Celebi Airport Services India, in a May 16 filing seen by Reuters, asked the Delhi High Court to set aside that decision, arguing it would impact 3,791 jobs and investor confidence, and was issued without any warning to the company.

Mere rhetoric of national security without elaborating upon in what manner is an entity a threat to national security is unsustainable in law, the company said in the filing, which is not public.

The order fails to disclose any specific or substantive reason except for a vague and general reference to national security... (it) provides no reasons or justification, it added.

Indias government did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The case is likely to be heard on Monday.

In its filing, Celebi said that while its shareholders were registered in Turkey, majority end control of the group is held by companies that do not have Turkish incorporation or origin.

In revoking Celebis clearance on Thursday, Indias junior aviation minister Murlidhar Mohol said on X the government had received requests from across India to ban Celebi. Recognising the seriousness of the issue and the call to protect national interests, we have taken cognizance of these requests, he said.

The Shiv Sena party, a key ally in Modis government, had held protests against Celebi in Mumbai this week, demanding the citys airport sever ties with it.

Celebi in its filing said it was