Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India]: Munir Ahmad, a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) constable recently dismissed for allegedly concealing his marriage to a Pakistani national, has contested the grounds for his termination, stating he duly informed the authorities in advance and submitted all necessary documentation.
Ahmad, who served in the 41 Battalion of CRPF, claimed he had formally notified the CRPF about his intention to marry his cousin Menal Khan from Sialkot, Pakistan. He said he sent a letter dated December 31, 2022, along with a copy of the marriage invitation card to his unit, the 72 CRPF Battalion in Sunderbani. While the letter was initially returned with objections on January 24, 2023, Ahmad explained that he subsequently followed proper protocol to escalate the request.
“I approached the Commandant and submitted my documents, which were forwarded through the DIG Range, then to the Jammu Sector RG CRPF, to SDG, and finally to CRPF headquarters in Delhi,” Ahmad told ANI at his home in Jammu. “After five months, I received a reply from the headquarters, which acknowledged that I had informed the department.”
Ahmad provided copies of CRPF correspondence, including an April 30, 2024, letter that he claims confirms prior communication regarding his marriage. He emphasized that the CRPF had been officially notified and that there was no explicit mention of a required No Objection Certificate (NOC) in the response.
Ahmad’s marriage to Menal Khan, the daughter of his maternal uncle, took place on May 24, 2024, via video conferencing. He stated that the union had been arranged by their families years earlier, with delays caused by his father’s serious illness and complications in obtaining a visa.
Further, Ahmad showed internal CRPF records where his wife was registered as a Pakistani national. He also produced a request addressed to the Inspector General of the Jammu Sector CRPF seeking permission for the marriage and an NOC.
Despite these claims, the CRPF released a statement on May 3 declaring Ahmad’s actions a breach of service rules and a threat to national security. “CT/GD Munir Ahmed of 41 Battalion of CRPF has been dismissed from service with immediate effect for concealing his marriage to a Pakistani national and knowingly harbouring her beyond the validity of her visa,” the statement read.
The dismissal comes amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, following a terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives. The government has since imposed strict diplomatic and security measures, including an economic blockade and visa restrictions.