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Scroll.in
07-07-2025
- Business
- Scroll.in
Delhi HC dismisses Turkish firm Celebi's plea against security clearance revocation
The Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed a petition filed by Turkish firm Celebi Aviation challenging the revocation of its security clearance by the Union government amid tensions between India and Pakistan in May, Bar and Bench reported. On May 15, the Union government withdrew Celebi's clearance 'in the interest of national security', following public anger about Turkish companies supplying weapons to Pakistan. The ground and bridge handling firm was barred from operating at several Indian airports, including Delhi and Mumbai. During earlier proceedings, advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Celebi, argued that the company had been punished without being informed why it was being subjected to such harsh measures. Rohatgi said this violated procedural safeguards, including those laid out in Rule 12 of the 2023 Aircraft Security Rules. The rule grants the Director General of Civil Aviation the power to suspend or cancel security clearances and programmes, but subject to procedural safeguards. The Turkish firm should have been given proper notice before being subjected to such measures, the advocate added. Such 'complete violation of natural justice principles' rendered the revocation of Celebi's security clearance void, Rohatgi said. The advocate had also objected to the decision by the Union government to submit its reasons for the revocation in a sealed cover accessible only to the court. He said that the firm had no ties to the Turkish government and no conflicts or problems with India, adding that the revocation of its security clearance had impacted more than 10,000 employees in the country. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Union government, said that it could not have given notice of the security clearance revocation to Celebi due to national security concerns amid the conflict between India and Pakistan, Bar and Bench reported. Mehta also said that the firm was involved in ground and cargo handling, which allowed it access to aircraft and cargo screening at several airports, including those handling VIP movements, The Hindu reported. This prompted authorities to exercise their 'plenary powers' under the relevant law to take action, he added. Besides Mumbai and Delhi, Celebi was operating ground handling services at the airports in Kochi, Kannur, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mopa (Goa), Ahmedabad and Chennai, according to its website. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated on May 7 when the Indian military carried out strikes – codenamed Operation Sindoor – on what it claimed were terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The strikes were in response to the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, which killed 26 persons on April 22. The Pakistani Army retaliated to Indian strikes by repeatedly shelling Indian villages along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. At least 22 Indian civilians and eight defence personnel were killed in the shelling. The two sides on May 10 reached an 'understanding' to halt firing following the four-day conflict.
India Gazette
06-07-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Delhi HC to deliver verdict on Turkish firm Celebi's plea against security clearance revocation
New Delhi [India], July 6 (ANI): The Delhi High Court is set to pronounce its judgment on Monday in a high-stakes legal battle involving Turkey-based ground handling company Celebi, which has challenged the Union Government's decision to revoke its security clearance over alleged national security concerns. Justice Sachin Datta had reserved the order on May 23 after hearing extensive arguments from Celebi Airport Services India Pvt. Ltd., Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India Pvt. Ltd., and the Union Government, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta. The case revolves around the aviation regulator BCAS's decision to cancel Celebi's security clearance, which has had a cascading effect on the company's operations across Indian airports, leading to the termination of its contracts with major airport operators, including DIAL, MIAL, and Adani. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Celebi, strongly contested the government's move, terming it arbitrary and in violation of due process. He argued that Rule 12 of the Aircraft Rules, 2013, which governs such matters, is binding unless expressly overridden by Parliament. Rohatgi contended that the government failed to follow basic procedural norms--no prior notice was issued, no hearing was conducted, and no reasons were recorded before revoking the clearance. 'The revocation has destroyed our business. Our contracts were contingent on that clearance,' he told the court. He emphasised that while the government has powers to issue directions, those powers do not extend to cancelling or revoking security clearances without adhering to statutory safeguards. Rohatgi also clarified that despite Turkish shareholding, Celebi's workforce is entirely Indian and has no political affiliations. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta defended the revocation, citing national security as paramount. Calling the matter 'sui generis,' Mehta emphasised that the government has plenary powers in matters of national and airport security. He pointed out that Celebi handles sensitive data and has access to critical zones in airports, making rigorous security vetting essential. Mehta disclosed that intelligence inputs raised red flags about Celebi's operations, especially in areas involving passenger and cargo handling. He said such information, being classified, could not be fully shared in court. 'Certain decisions in the interest of national security cannot be disclosed without risking greater harm,' he argued. (ANI)
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Delhi HC to deliver verdict on Turkish firm Celebi's plea against security clearance revocation
The Delhi High Court is set to pronounce its judgment on Monday in a high-stakes legal battle involving Turkey-based ground handling company Celebi, which has challenged the Union Government's decision to revoke its security clearance over alleged national security concerns . Justice Sachin Datta had reserved the order on May 23 after hearing extensive arguments from Celebi Airport Services India Pvt. Ltd., Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India Pvt. Ltd., and the Union Government, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta. The case revolves around the aviation regulator BCAS 's decision to cancel Celebi's security clearance, which has had a cascading effect on the company's operations across Indian airports, leading to the termination of its contracts with major airport operators, including DIAL, MIAL, and Adani. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like We Have No Words For Dog The Bounty Hunter's Transformation Cash Roadster Undo Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi , appearing for Celebi , strongly contested the government's move, terming it arbitrary and in violation of due process. He argued that Rule 12 of the Aircraft Rules, 2013, which governs such matters, is binding unless expressly overridden by Parliament. Rohatgi contended that the government failed to follow basic procedural norms--no prior notice was issued, no hearing was conducted, and no reasons were recorded before revoking the clearance. "The revocation has destroyed our business. Our contracts were contingent on that clearance," he told the court. Live Events He emphasised that while the government has powers to issue directions, those powers do not extend to cancelling or revoking security clearances without adhering to statutory safeguards. Rohatgi also clarified that despite Turkish shareholding, Celebi's workforce is entirely Indian and has no political affiliations. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta defended the revocation, citing national security as paramount. Calling the matter "sui generis," Mehta emphasised that the government has plenary powers in matters of national and airport security. He pointed out that Celebi handles sensitive data and has access to critical zones in airports, making rigorous security vetting essential. Mehta disclosed that intelligence inputs raised red flags about Celebi's operations, especially in areas involving passenger and cargo handling. He said such information, being classified, could not be fully shared in court. "Certain decisions in the interest of national security cannot be disclosed without risking greater harm," he argued.
The Hindu
04-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Supreme Court refuses to intervene in HDFC Bank CEO's plea as Bombay HC lists case on July 14
The Supreme Court on Friday (July 4, 2025) refused to intervene in a plea filed by HDFC Bank CEO and MD Sashidhar Jagdishan to quash a First information Report (FIR) registered against him on the basis of a complaint filed by the Lilavati Kirtilal Mehta Medical Trust, which runs the Mumbai-based Lilavati Hospital. A Bench of Justices PS Narasimha and R. Mahadevan declined to step in after noting that the case was already listed before the Bombay High Court on July 14. 'In view of the listing of the matter on July 14, there is no occasion for us to entertain the special leave petition,' the top court observed. Appearing for Mr. Jagadishan, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi said the FIR was 'frivolous' and a means to rope in his client and the bank in a personal dispute between the trustees. Mr. Rohatgi said three Benches of the High Court had recused from hearing the case in June, putting the reputation of the bank and Mr. Jagdishan at risk. 'I am suffering. The bank is suffering. I want interim protection till the matter is heard,' Mr. Rohatgi urged. Justice Narasimha said the top court empathised with Mr. Rohatgi's client, however the High Court has already fixed the case on July 14, and it would be improper for the apex court to intervene in the meantime. 'We sympathise with you... Bench after Bench has recused... But now the case is listed for hearing on July 14,' Justice Narasimha remarked. The Bench recorded in its order the multiple instances the case was adjourned in June, and conveyed its 'hope and trust' that the High Court would 'take up' the matter on July 14. A team of lawyers led by senior advocate AM Singhvi appeared for the Trust in the case.
The Hindu
03-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Supreme Court to hear HDFC Bank MD's plea to quash FIR
The Supreme Court on Thursday (July 3, 2025) agreed to urgently hear on July 4 a plea filed by HDFC Bank CEO and MD Sashidhar Jagdishan to quash a First information Report (FIR) registered against him on a complaint filed by the Lilavati Kirtilal Mehta Medical Trust, which runs the Mumbai-based Lilavati Hospital, accusing him of accepting a bribe of ₹2.05 crore. A Bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and Vinod Chandran listed the case for July 4 following an oral mentioning made by senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Mr. Jagdishan. The Trust has accused Mr. Jagdishan of accepting the money to provide financial advice to a certain group of trustees to retain illegal and undue control over the Trust's governance. The Trust accused him of interfering in its internal affairs and misusing his position as the head of a leading private bank. He was booked for cheating and criminal breach of trust. 'This is an urgent matter. I request listing tomorrow on behalf of the bank and its MD. A frivolous FIR has been lodged against the MD and the bank by trustees of Lilavati hospital who are litigating against the other group of trustees,' Mr. Rohatgi submitted. Mr. Rohatgi said the FIR was only an arm-twisting technique, and the bank was owed money. He said three Benches of the Bombay High Court had recused from hearing the case. The Trust had separately moved a plea in the High Court seeking a CBI probe.
