Turkey’s Celebi sues India over ‘vague’ clearance pullback

NEW DELHI: Turkey-based Celebi, a provider of airport ground handling in India, has launched a legal challenge to New Delhi’s decision to overturn its security clearance, arguing in a court filing that “vague” national security concerns were cited without reasoning.

Amid growing public anger in India about Turkey’s stance on Pakistan in the India-Pakistan conflict, the Indian government on Thursday revoked Celebi’s 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. Its details have not previously been reported.

India’s government did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The case is likely to be heard on Monday. In its filing, Celebi also said its shareholders were registered in Turkey, but the “majority end control” is held by companies of global repute who do not have Turkish incorporation or origin.