Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court has declined to provide immediate interim relief to Turkish aviation company Çelebi in its dispute over the termination of a ground handling services agreement at Ahmedabad International Airport, operated by the Adani Group.

The dispute arises from the Indian government’s revocation of Çelebi’s security clearance, citing national security concerns. This move followed Turkey’s public expression of support for Pakistan during a four-day Indo-Pak military conflict in May.

In response, Çelebi challenged the revocation of its clearance before the Delhi High Court. Simultaneously, related petitions were filed in the Bombay and Madras High Courts, seeking protection against airport operators appointing alternate ground handling agencies in those jurisdictions.

The matter brought before the Gujarat High Court involved an appeal against a commercial court order that had rejected Çelebi’s request for interim relief under Section 9 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act. The request was linked to Çelebi’s agreement with Ahmedabad airport authorities.

The lower court had dismissed Çelebi’s plea on the grounds that the company had not contested the government’s revocation of its security clearance. However, Çelebi’s counsel clarified that its parent company has already filed a case in the Delhi High Court, where the matter is still pending.

Additionally, the Bombay High Court has granted interim protection to Çelebi, barring Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) from finalising a new ground handling contract.

The respondent’s counsel argued that Çelebi’s contract became void once its security clearance was withdrawn. After hearing the arguments, the Gujarat High Court decided not to stay the Adani Group from appointing a new ground handling agency. The court has issued a notice on the appeal and scheduled the next hearing for June 10. DeshGujarat