Jammu & Kashmir High Court denies reinstatement of SPO who quit after terror threats

In Srinagar, a single-bench of Justice Sanjay Dhar dismissed the plea of former special police officer Hemo Hamid Wani for reinstatement after he missed duty due to terrorist threats. The judge noted that the rationale offered by Wani was insufficient and that special police officers are appointed for limited, situational purposes, lacking the civil status of regular officers. Wani, who began his SPO role in 2012 and was stationed in Reshipora, Shopian, took medical leave and subsequently received life threats, leading him to avoid returning to work.

When he attempted to resume his post, the police denied his re-entry, and after the DGP rejected his earlier petition, he turned to the high court. The court held that even if a hearing were theoretically required, his failure to perform duties under threat justified his dismissal, and no further intervention was warranted.