Bombay HC allows Mumbai airport to terminate Turkish ground operator Celebi's contract
The Bombay High Court on Wednesday set aside its earlier interim order restraining the Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) from finalising tenders for ground and bridge handling services post termination of Turkish firm Celebi's contract.
A bench of Justice Somasekhar Sundaresan said the interim protection granted in May cannot be continued as the Delhi HC earlier this month dismissed Celebi's petition against similar contract termination of the Delhi airport and revocation of security clearance.
'It is now clear that holding up the decision of finding a replacement is not possible and tenable. Continuation of the ad-interim order is no longer reasonable and hence stands vacated,' the court said.
It added that post revocation of security clearance, all employees and equipment of the petitioner firm have been placed under the control of another company, Indo Thai Airport Services Ltd, which is now carrying out the ground handling and bridge mounting services at the Mumbai airport.
'The petitioner firm has lost all physical access to the airport,' the court said.
The HC said that as per the contract agreement, conciliation efforts are underway between the parties concerned and disposed of the petitions filed by Celebi.
Amid the backlash in India over Turkiye's support to Pakistan during 'Operation Sindoor', India's aviation security regulator BCAS (Bureau of Civil Aviation Security) had revoked the security clearance of Celebi Airport Services India on grounds related to national security.
The company had moved the high court against the revocation of its security clearance and subsequent termination of its contract with MIAL.
The firm's petition challenging revocation of security clearance is pending before a division bench of the Bombay HC and is likely to be taken up for hearing on Thursday.
Celebi holds 59 per cent stake in Celebi Nas Airport Services India Private Limited.
The petition sought suspension and annulment of the administrative decision of security clearance cancellation granted by BCAS under the Ministry of Civil Aviation of India.
It also sought annulment of terminations of the Bridge Mounted Equipment Service Agreement and the Concession Agreement, and Ground Handling Services by MIAL.
By way of interim relief, Celebi had sought HC to restrain MIAL from taking any final decision on the tenders issued on May 17 for the selection of a new ground handling agency for these services.
On May 26, a vacation bench had passed an interim order restraining MIAL from taking its final decision on the tenders.
The Delhi HC, while dismissing Celebi's plea against the security clearance revocation, noted that there were 'compelling national security considerations involved', which 'impelled' the Centre to revoke the clearance, with 'impelling geo-political considerations' at play.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
32 minutes ago
- News18
From 'Dead Economy' Jibe To 'Ceasefire' Claims, A Look At Trump's Falsehoods Targeting India
Last Updated: These remarks by US President Donald Trump reveal a disturbing trend aimed at promoting a rhetoric divorced from reality and, at times, undermining India's sovereign decisions American President Donald Trump's treasure trove of statements on India only keeps growing — from the most recent 'ceasefire" claim to his 'dead economy" remark. Often repeated by him on various global and social media platforms, most of these tend to be either inaccurate or unverified. But they do, however, reveal a disturbing trend of falsehoods to promote a rhetoric divorced from reality and, at times, undermining India's global standing and sovereign decisions. In wake of his latest announcement of 50 percent tariff on India, an analysis of his statements about the country – whether it is about the high tariffs against the US or the purchase of Russian oil – can throw light on his misinformed claims that exaggerate his role in regional diplomacy or simply disregard facts and India's official stance. Here is a simple fact check: 'INDIA IS A DEAD ECONOMY' This is another oft-repeated claim by Trump, often linking his diplomatic efforts to trade pressure. 'We've been very successful in settling wars. You have India, (and) Pakistan… India, by the way, Pakistan would have been a nuclear war within another week the way that was going. That was going very badly, and we did that through trade. I said we're not going to talk to you about trade unless you get this thing settled, and they did, and they were both great, great leaders, and they were great," he had said. India has firmly denied any US mediation stating that the ceasefire was a bilateral arrangement, initiated through existing military channels and not via external involvement. 'No world leader had asked India to stop the Operation Sindoor," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Lok Sabha during the monsoon session of Parliament, while External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said: 'I want to make two things very clear…one, at no stage, in any conversation with the United States, was there any linkage with trade and what was going on. Secondly, there was no talk between the Prime Minister and President Trump from the 22nd of April when President Trump called up to convey his sympathy, and the 17th of June, when he called up the Prime Minister in Canada to explain why he could not meet." 'INDIA STOPPED BUYING RUSSIAN OIL' India denied any such claim made by Trump that it had, in fact, stopped buying Russian oil. 'Well, I understand India no longer is going to be buying oil from Russia. That's what I heard. I don't know if that's right or not, but that's a good step. We'll see what happens," he had said, just a few days before he imposed additional tariffs on India for the very same reason. 'INDIA IS TARIFF KING' Trump has labelled India as the 'tariff king" and an 'abuser" of trade duties, suggesting the country unfairly protects its markets through high customs duties. But data shows that India's simple average tariff, which comprises levies on both agriculture and non-agriculture products, is around 16 percent. This is in the same league as Bangladesh (14.1%), Turkey (16.2%) and Argentina (13.4%). India's weighted average tariff, however, is only around 4.6 percent. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : donald trump view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
Netanyahu backs India amid US tariff row, says Washington sees New Delhi as ‘solid partner'
Netanyahu called India as a 'solid partner' for both Israel and America. Referring to ongoing tariff tensions, he said, 'There is a basic understanding in America that India is a natural partner. Obstacles can be dealt with. This is a temporary obstacle.' read more Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has extended support to India amid its ongoing trade dispute with the United States, asserting that Washington recognises India as a 'solid partner.' Speaking on India's strategic standing, Netanyahu described the country as one that 'stands out in Asia' and noted the strength of India-US relations, saying they are 'two terrific friends with so much common ground.' He expressed optimism that the two nations 'should be able to find a solution' to their current trade tensions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Netanyahu also highlighted the robust defence cooperation between India and Israel. Citing Operation Sindoor, he praised the performance of Israeli military equipment used during the mission, calling it 'battle-proven' and effective in real-time conditions. Netanyahu also said that Israel will not annex the territory but will set up a security perimeter. 'We will destroy Hamas. We will get our hostages back.' 'The war can be over tomorrow if Hamas lays down arms. Innocents must be separated from Hamas,' he said.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Cal HC orders WBJEE Board to publish new merit list
Kolkata, The Calcutta High Court Thursday directed the West Bengal Joint Entrance Examinations Board to come up with a new merit list of examinees, holding that the published one did not conform to the court's order on OBC reservation. Cal HC orders WBJEE Board to publish new merit list Justice Kausik Chanda directed that the fresh panel will provide 7 per cent reservation for the 66 classes of OBC candidates as recognised by the West Bengal Backward Classes Department prior to 2010. He directed that the entire exercise needs to be completed within 15 days from the date of this order. The court directed that affidavits of compliance will be filed by the Registrar, West Bengal Joint Entrance Examinations Board, and also by an officer not below the rank of senior special secretary, West Bengal Higher Education Department, on the next date of hearing after three weeks. Justice Chanda observed that the preparation of the merit list for the Joint Entrance Examination - 2025 by the West Bengal JEE Board has been carried out in clear violation of this court's order passed on May 21. The suo motu proceeding was initiated on the basis of communications received by Justice Chanda through email from some candidates for the West Bengal JEE Board examination. The court noted in its order that the JEE Board had fixed Thursday for publication of the merit list of the joint entrance examination, 2025, providing reservations to the OBC candidates in terms of a new reservation policy, which had come into effect on June 10. The new policy was stayed by a division bench of the high court on June 17. An interim order of the Supreme Court on July 28 revived the new reservation policy for a limited period until August 11, Justice Chanda noted. The court said that the information bulletin for the state's JEE - 2025 was published on December 24, 2024, and the application window remained open from January 22 to February 23, 2025, and the examination itself was held on April 27. "In these circumstances, it is wholly beyond comprehension of this court as to how the new reservation policy effective from June 10, 2025, could have any application to the said examination," the court said. "Even assuming that the said policy is eventually upheld or allowed to operate, it can, at best, have prospective effect. Accordingly, the application of the said policy to the merit list for the 2025 examination is clearly erroneous and unsustainable," the Judge observed. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
