The Delhi High Court has rejected an appeal by ground handler Çelebi Aviation over the suspension of its Indian security clearances.
Local news services say the Delhi High Court ruled that national security considerations compelled the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) of India to suspend the company’s operating permits.
Çelebi had argued that it hadn’t been given a chance to respond and that the revocation of the licenses was unreasoned.
However, after seeing sealed evidence, Justice Sachin Datta dismissed the appeal. The High Court said that legitimate national security concerns can trump due process and also cited geo-political considerations and mentioned the handler’s access to vital installations and infrastructure.
The Turkish company had its Indian operating permits suspended in mid-May over national security concerns.
The suspension came shortly after Turkey backed Pakistan during its four-day conflict with India.
At the time, Çelebi said that it had not received any warnings or penalties related to national security matters and that its operations have always been conducted in strict compliance with the relevant legal requirements.
Çelebi also pointed out that it had international ownership and was majority-owned by international investors from Canada, the US, the UK, Singapore, the UAE and Western Europe.
Çelebi operated a total of nine stations in India, consisting of Mumbai, Delhi, Cochin, Kannur, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Goa(GOX) and Ahmedabad & and Chennai.
According to its website, the company handles around 540,000 tons of cargo each year in the country.
