'Where national security is concerned, rules and regulations are not considered', why was this said in the High Court?

Posted on 20th May 2025 by rohit kumar

The case of the cancellation of security clearance of Turkiye's company Celebi Airport Services by the Indian government is going on in the Delhi High Court. The company has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court against this decision of the government. The case was heard on Monday. During the hearing, the High Court said in its remark that 'it is better to be safe than to say sorry later.'

 

These arguments were put forward during the hearing.

 

Senior lawyer Mukul Rohatgi appeared in court on behalf of the company. He said that 'the government did not give any reason for the cancellation of security clearance, and neither did it give the company a chance to present its side. It seems that the government took this decision only based on people's sentiments, because the company belongs to Turkiye.' It is worth noting that after the Pahalgam terrorist attack, there was a conflict between India and Pakistan. In this conflict, Turkiye openly supported Pakistan. Not only this, but Turkiye also sent its drones to help Pakistan. The people of India are angry with Turkiye regarding this. There is a demand for a boycott of Turkiye's goods in India. Under this, questions were also raised on the Turkish company Celebi Airport Services India Private Limited, which manages many airports in India. After this, the government decided to end the security clearance of the company on May 15.

 

During the hearing, Mukul Rohatgi, while presenting the company's side, said that the company has been working in India for the last 17 years. Rohatgi said that 'some rules and regulations should be followed. No one can close our business by just sending a two-line notice.'

 

The central government gave this argument.

 

On this, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing on behalf of the central government, said that the petitioner is related to the operation of the airport. This is the most sensitive matter of civil aviation. Also, this is a matter related to the security and sovereignty of the country. Mehta also said that the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has clearly stated in the notice sent to Celebi that the issue of security clearance is the prerogative of the Civil Aviation Ministry, and the Civil Aviation Ministry can cancel the security clearance without giving any reason.

 

Tushar Mehta said that if the matter is related to national security, then rules and regulations are not followed there. On this, Rohatgi cited the Indian employees working in the company. On this, Mehta said that who controls them is important. The enemy tries 10 times, and he has to succeed only once. Whereas the security agencies have to succeed every time. Civil aviation security is most important in national security.

 

The next hearing will be on 21 May.

After hearing the arguments, the High Court postponed the hearing of the case till 21 May. Also, the Central Government has been asked under which provision the government has canceled the security clearance of the company. Let us tell you that the Celebi company has been working in the civil aviation sector of India for many years. It manages nine airports in the country and employs more than 10 thousand people. It handles 58 thousand flights and more than 5,40,000 tons of cargo annually in India.