Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Monday passed an interim order restraining Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) from taking a final decision on tenders invited on May 17 to replace Turkish firm Celebi for ground and bridge handling services at the international airport here.
Vacation judge, Justice Somasekhar Sundaresan, after hearing the matter for some time, said no final decision shall be taken on the tenders till the pleas filed by Celebi are heard post reopening of the court in June.
Turkey-based airport ground handling major Celebi’s Indian subsidiary had approached the HC last week challengings the revocation of its security clearance by the Centre and the subsequent termination of its contract by MIAL.
Celebi Nas Airport Services India Pvt Ltd — in which Celebi Aviation holds a 59% stake — filed three separate petitions before the court. The company, which previously operated at Mumbai airport, termed the revocation of security clearance and termination of its concession agreements as arbitrary and illegal.
The petitions challenge the cancellation of security clearance by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, which the company claims led to the immediate and unilateral termination of its Concession Agreement with MIAL.
Celebi has sought suspension and annulment of the BCAS decision, and has named the Union of India, Directorate General of Civil Aviation, BCAS, Airports Authority of India, and the Regional Office of Civil Aviation (Mumbai) as respondents.
It has also sought annulment of termination of the Bridge Mounted Equipment Service Agreement and the Ground Handling Services Concession Agreement. The company has also sought interim relief restraining MIAL from finalising new tenders issued on May 17 for appointing a new ground handling agency.
This legal action follows a broader crackdown, after BCAS last week revoked the security clearance of Celebi Airport Services India citing “national security” concerns. Two other Celebi subsidiaries- Celebi Airport Services India and Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India - had earlier this month moved the Delhi High Court against the security clearance revocation and cancellation of contracts by the Delhi airport operator.
The move follows rising tensions between India and Turkey over the latter’s support to Pakistan in the India-Pakistan conflict. The revocation led to the termination of Celebi contracts at multiple Indian airports. Similar petitions by other Celebi subsidiaries are pending before the Delhi High Court.
