Celebi, a Turkey-based provider of airport ground handling services in India, has initiated legal action against the Indian government’s decision to revoke its security clearance, arguing that the move was based on “vague” national security concerns without providing adequate justification.
The Indian government revoked Celebi’s security clearance on Thursday, citing the “interest of national security,” amid growing public discontent in India regarding Turkey’s position on Pakistan in the India-Pakistan conflict.
In a May 16 court filing reviewed by Reuters, Celebi Airport Services India requested the Delhi High Court to overturn the decision, asserting that it would jeopardize 3,791 jobs, undermine investor confidence, and was issued without any prior 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 stated in the filing, which is not publicly available and whose details have not been previously reported.
The Indian government has not yet responded to a request for comment. The case is expected to be heard on Monday.
Celebi also stated in its filing that while its shareholders are registered in Turkey, the “majority end control” is held by reputable global companies that are not of Turkish incorporation or origin.
