Latest news with #BCAS
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
HC halts Mumbai airport from hiring Celebi's replacement
MUMBAI: The Bombay high court on Monday granted interim relief to the Indian subsidiary of the Turkish ground-handling firm Celebi Aviation Holding by issuing directions to the Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) to not take any decision in extending tenders to appoint a new company in its place. The temporary relief is to remain till the challenge against its security clearance revocation is heard before a regular bench after the vacation. The firm on May 22 had filed three petitions in the court, challenging the Indian government's revocation of its security clearance which resulted in the termination of its agreement at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA). The petition urged the court to issue directions to restrain the airport authorities from appointing a new company in its place. The petition was filed days after the Adani Group-led MIAL, which operates CSMIA, terminated its agreement with Celebi and appointed the Kolkata-based firm Indo Thai Airport Services on a temporary basis for three months until it finalises a long-term partner. CSMIA was among several airports across the country that terminated their agreements with Celebi earlier this month. This was after the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), India's top aviation security regulator, revoked the Turkish firm's security clearance, effectively barring it from continuing its operations in Indian airports. The decision, according to BCAS, was taken in view of 'national interests'. While the official reasons were not detailed, the move follows heightened diplomatic tensions. Turkey recently backed Pakistan and condemned India's counter-terrorism strikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir following the Pahalgam terror attack in April. In response to the revocation, Celebi's Indian subsidiary issued a statement distancing itself from political or national affiliations. 'We are not a Turkish organisation by any standard and adhere fully to globally accepted practices of corporate governance, transparency and neutrality, with no political affiliations or links to any foreign government or individuals,' the company said. Celebi filed three separate lawsuits, two of which challenged MIAL's revocation of its contract on the grounds of security clearance. The third plea is filed against BCAS, which states that the agency's decision was procedurally erroneous. On May 16, Celebi had filed a similar petition in the Delhi high court, even as aviation officials said that airport operations nationwide continued without disruption as alternative arrangements were implemented. In its plea, the company said that BCAS's decision to revoke its clearance by merely citing national security, without specific justification, was 'vague' and 'unsustainable in law'. Celebi Aviation has had a significant presence in India's aviation sector. Since entering the Indian market via Mumbai Airport, the company has expanded to nine airports across the country. These include major hubs such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Cochin, Kannur, Goa, and Ahmedabad. The firm's Indian operations cover a wide range of services, including passenger assistance, flight operations, cargo handling, warehouse management and bridge operation services.
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Bombay HC grants temporary relief to Turkish firm Celebi, restrains MIAL from taking final decision on bids
In a temporary relief to Turkey-headquartered airport ground handling services major Celebi, a vacation bench of the Bombay High Court on Monday restrained Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) from taking a final decision on tenders invited to replace Celebi's subsidiary till the matter is heard by the regular court. A single bench of Justice Somasekhar Sundaresan was hearing two applications by Celebi's subsidiary Celebi Nas Airport Services India, which operated at the Mumbai airport, filed under Section 9 of Arbitration and Conciliation Act against Adani group-owned MIAL seeking annulment of its termination of contracts with the petitioner. The pleas, through senior advocate Chetan Kapadia, also sought urgent interim measure to restrain MIAL to conclude the tenders issued on May 17 for selection of a new ground handling agency for the Mumbai airport. The parent company Celebi Hava Servisi holds 59% of the capital in Celebi Nas. Justice Sundaresan said the order will operate until the matter is heard by a regular bench in June after summer vacation. The firm has also filed a separate writ petition seeking suspension and annulment of the security clearance cancellation by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). The Union of India, BCAS, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Airports Authority of India (AAI), and the regional office of the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) are made respondents in the matter. A division bench comprising two judges will hear the plea in due course. The BCAS, amidst the backlash over Turkey's support for Pakistan in the India-Pakistan conflict, had earlier this month revoked with immediate effect security clearance of the Indian arm of the Celebi citing 'national security'. The revocation led to airports in India where Celebi group operated, terminating their contracts with the group companies, prompting the subsidiaries to approach the courts. The subsidiary of the Turkish firm had approached the Bombay High Court on May 21 after its other subsidiaries Celebi Airport Services India and Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India had moved the Delhi High Court against the security clearance revocation and the resultant cancellation of Celebi contracts by the Delhi airport operator. The Delhi HC on Friday, May 23 reserved its order on the plea.
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
HC restrains MIAL from taking final decision on Celebi ground services contract till June
The Bombay High Court on Monday temporarily halted Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) from finalising tenders for ground and bridge handling services until Turkish firm Celebi's plea against its contract termination is heard after the court reopens in June. This interim order, issued by a vacation bench of Justice Somasekhar Sundaresan, ensures that no action is taken on the tenders until Celebi's legal challenges, stemming from the revocation of its security clearance and contract termination, are heard post-court reopening in June. Amid the backlash in India over Turkiye's support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, India's aviation security regulator BCAS earlier this month revoked the security clearance of Celebi Airport Services India on grounds related to national security with immediate effect. The company had moved the High Court last week against revocation of its security clearance and subsequent termination of its contract with MIAL. Celebi's plea was mentioned before Justice Sundaresan seeking urgent relief against any decision on the tenders issued by MIAL on May 17. The court 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. Turkiye-based airport ground handling services major Celebi's subsidiary had moved HC last week against revocation of its security clearance and subsequent termination of its contract with MIAL. Three petitions were filed by Celebi Nas Airport Services India, which operated at the Mumbai airport, challenging the Centre's decision to revoke the security clearance and contract termination. The pleas said the decisions were arbitrary and illegal and sought that they be set aside. Celebi holds 59 per cent capital of Celebi Nas Airport Services India Private petition sought suspension and annulment of the administrative decision of security clearance cancellation granted by Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) under Ministry of Civil Aviation of India. It also sought annulment of terminations of 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. Two other Celebi subsidiaries, namely 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.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Bombay high court halts Mumbai airport's bid to replace Turkey's Celebi
File photo (ANI) NEW DELHI: In a temporary reprieve for Turkish aviation firm Celebi, the Bombay high court on Monday directed Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) to hold off on awarding new contracts for ground and bridge handling services at the city's international airport. The interim order was passed by Justice Somasekhar Sundaresan, who said that no conclusive steps should be taken on the tenders until Celebi's petitions are heard after the court's summer recess in June, reported news agency PTI. The legal dispute stems from the recent revocation of security clearance for Celebi Airport Services India, a subsidiary of Turkey-based Celebi, by India's Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). The security clearance was rescinded earlier this month, citing national security concerns, prompting airports across the country to terminate contracts with Celebi's Indian affiliates. The move followed diplomatic tensions after Turkey expressed support for Pakistan during India's Operation Sindoor, a military offensive conducted in response to cross-border terrorism. In the aftermath, Celebi's Indian operations, including those at key airports like Mumbai and Delhi, came under scrutiny. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo In Mumbai, Celebi Nas Airport Services India, which handles bridge and ground services, filed three separate petitions challenging both the BCAS's decision and MIAL's termination of contracts. The company contended that the government's actions were arbitrary and legally unsustainable. Celebi holds a 59 per cent stake in the joint venture operating at the Mumbai airport. The petitions request the high court to annul the BCAS's order cancelling its security clearance and to reverse MIAL's termination of key agreements, including the Bridge Mounted Equipment Service Agreement, Ground Handling Services contract, and the Concession Agreement. The firm also asked the court to suspend the tender process initiated by MIAL on May 17 for selecting a replacement agency. Meanwhile, two other group companies, Celebi Airport Services India and Celebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India, have approached the Delhi high court seeking similar relief following cancellation of their airport contracts in the capital.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Time of India
Bar on visitors at city airport to continue amid heightened vigil
1 2 Bhubaneswar: With the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) extending the red alert at Biju Patnaik International Airport here for seven more days following the recent tensions between India and Pakistan, common visitors will not be allowed to enter the BPIA. Additionally, the activation of BPIA's anti-hijacking cell will remain in force, and a high alert status will be maintained. Earlier, BPIA authorities conducted a comprehensive review of navigational assets to ensure operational security. "Until further notice, the airport will be out of bounds for common visitors in view of the recent tensions. Secondary ladder point check (SLPC) will be in place for some more days. The second layer of security check is carried out in emergency situations and on special occasions," said airport director Prasanna Pradhan. Sources said the last time the airport authorities activated SLPC was following a threat mail from Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Airport officials said that minutes before passengers board a flight, their bags will be scanned, and they may be frisked, which is not done usually. Normally, after the primary security check by CISF personnel before proceeding to the departure lounge, no further checking is done. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Airport sources said in view of the tensions, the BCAS issued directions to airport authorities not to provide visitor passes for entering terminal buildings. On an average, around 200 people visit the airport every day. The visitors include tourists and relatives and friends of passengers. Bhubaneswar airport is treated as sensitive by BCAS. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
