[Civil Appeal No. 2876 /2014 arising out of S.L.P. (Civil) No. 15000 of 2010]. Natural justice is a principle of universal application. It requires that persons whose interests are to be affected by decisions, adjudicative and administrative, receive a fair and unbiased hearing before the decisions are made. The principle is traceable to the Fundamental Rights under Part III of the Constitution of India. Whether any reasonable restriction or limitation or exception to this principle is permissible in the interest of national security, is the issue we are called upon to consider in this case. The appellant was granted business of ground handling services on behalf of various airlines at different airports in the country. The ground handling service is subject to security clearance from the Central Government. Section 5 of the Aircraft Act, 1934 empowers the Government to make rules providing for licensing, inspection and regulation of aerodromes and, thus, Aircraft Rules, 1937 have been framed. Rule 92 proves for ground handling services. The Rule reads as follows: "92. Ground Handling Services- The licensee shall, while providing ground handling service by itself, ensure a competitive environment by allowing the airline operator at the airport to engage, without any restriction, any of the ground handling service provider who is permitted by the Central Government to provide such service: Provided that such ground handling service provider shall be subject to the security clearance of the Central Government."
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