The Calcutta High Court has refused to reinstate seven Special Police Officers (SPOs) who were disengaged due to unsatisfactory performance in their duties related to security in regions affected by extremist activities. Justice Amrita Sinha noted that the primary role of these officers is to gather intelligence on terrorist activities, which is essential for ensuring the safety of railway infrastructure and passengers. The SPOs were initially deployed in 2012 and were dismissed in August 2023 after a performance review revealed their failure to fulfill their responsibilities. The court emphasized that reinstating officers who do not meet performance standards would endanger public safety. The petitioners argued that they were unfairly treated compared to other SPOs who were allowed to return to duty, but the court upheld the state’s decision, stating that the authority must prioritize effective service over maintaining personnel who do not deliver results.