New Delhi8 minutes ago
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The central government on 15 May 2025 canceled the security approval of Selebi and its affiliates through the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).
The Turki’s ground handling and cargo service company Selebi Aviation’s petition has been rejected by the Delhi High Court on 7 July today.
In the petition, the company challenged the central government’s decision to cancel its security approval. The Central Government quoted the Celebi approval, quoting national security.
6 Understand the whole matter in questions and answers…
Question 1: What is Celibi Aviation and what was its work in India?
answer: Celebi Aviation is a Turki company, which offers ground handling and cargo services at airports. That is, this company works like landing of airplanes, handling of passengers, loading-unloading of goods and cargo management.
The company had operations at 9 major airports like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Goa, Cochin, and Kannur. The company handled around 58,000 flights and 5.4 lakh tonnes of cargo every year. Its 14,000 employees work in India, who are all Indians.
Celebi Aviation, established in 1958, works at 70 stations worldwide.
Question 2: Why was Celebi security approval canceled?
answer: The Central Government on 15 May 2025 canceled the security approval of Selebi through the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). The reason for this was described as National Security.
There was a recent tension between India and Pakistan. In response to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India carried out operations on terrorist bases in Pakistan by running Operation Sindoor.
During this time the Turkas supported Pakistan and condemned India’s action. According to media reports, due to this, the Government of India raised doubts on Turki -related companies.
In some reports, it was also claimed that Celibi may have a connection to the Turki President’s daughter Sumey Erdogan. However, Celabi dismissed these claims outright.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said in the court that the government had received intelligence, on the basis of which this decision was taken. He described it as a special case related to national security.
Question 3: What did Celeby argue in court?
answer: Celebi filed a petition in the Delhi High Court, saying that the government canceled their approval without giving any notice, without hearing and without any concrete reason, which is wrong. His Indian unit is completely Indian company and all its employees are Indians.
The company said that she had been working in India without any stains for 17 years and the sudden cancellation of the approval of 3,791 employees and the trust of investors is in danger.
Celebi made it clear that he has nothing to do with Sumey Erdogan, daughter of Turk’s President Recep Taip Erdogan or his company Baikar (which makes drones).
Celebi’s lawyer Mukul Rohatgi said that the government only cited “national security”, but did not show any concrete evidence. He also said that the government gave some information to the court in a sealed envelope, which was not shown to Celibi, which is against the natural Justice.
Question 4: What decision did Delhi High Court ruin?
answer: On 7 July 2025, Justice Sachin Dutta of Delhi High Court dismissed Celebi’s petition. The court said that national security is at the top and it is difficult to challenge such decisions in the court. The court said, “Better Safe Dan Sorry” means “it is better to take care.”
Justice Dutta questioned whether the decision related to such security could be challenged in the court and whether it was necessary to give notice to the government earlier. The court admitted the government’s plea that the decision taken on the basis of intelligence information was in the national interest.
Justice Sachin Dutta of Delhi High Court dismissed Celebi’s petition.
Question 5: What was the impact of this decision on Celebi and Airports?
answer: This decision gave a big blow to Celebbi’s business in India:
- Operations closed: 9 airports including Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore finished their contracts with Celebi. For example, Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIL) canceled the contract of Celebi’s subsidiary Celebi Nas Airport Services.
- New companies: Bird Flight Services in Delhi and Air India Sats, Globground India in Bangalore and other companies in Kochi took over ground handling. Indo Thai Airport Services in Mumbai was appointed in 24 hours.
- Employee: The job of 14,000 Celebi employees is in danger. However, Delhi Airport said that it would not remove the employees.
- Legal Battle: Apart from Delhi, Celebi also filed a petition in the Bombay High Court, which is to be heard on July 10.
Question 6: What can Celebi do now?
answer: Celebi has no longer option left:
- Appeal in Supreme Court: Celebi can challenge the decision of the Delhi High Court in the Supreme Court, but the courts generally remain with the government in terms of national security.
- Bombay High Court: Celebi’s petition will be heard on July 10 in the Bombay High Court, but the decision of the Delhi High Court will be its basis.
- Business in new countries: Celabi may have to stop operations in India, after which it can focus on its business in other countries.
The company, established in 1958, works at 70 stations worldwide
Celebi Aviation is the first private -owned ground handling service company in Turki’s aviation industry. It provides ground handling, cargo and warehouse management services. Established in 1958, the company today works at 70 stations worldwide.
Its services include wheelchair support, ramp services, passenger and cargo handling, warehouse management, bridge operation, lounge management, and aircraft cleaning etc.
Celebbi offers ground handling services at nine airports including Delhi, Cochin, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai and Goa in India.
Celibs provide ground handling, cargo and warehouse management services.
Celibi had said- that Turki is not the organization
After the cancellation of the approval, Celebi Aviation India had said- “We are not the organization of the Turkas from any standard and fully follow corporate governance, transparency. We have no political relations with any foreign government or individuals.”
The company said- We are confident that Fact, Transparency and Commonians will conquer the missing. It is globally operated company. International institutional investors from Canada, USA, United Kingdom, Singapore, UAE and Western Europe have a 65% stake in the company.
