Mumbai: Turkey-based airport ground handling major Celebi’s Indian subsidiary has approached the Bombay High Court challenging the revocation of its security clearance by the Centre and the subsequent termination of its contract by Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL).
On Wednesday, 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, has 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.
