Munir Ahmed, a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) trooper dismissed from service for allegedly hiding his marriage to a Pakistani woman, stated he had obtained formal approval from the force's headquarters nearly a month before the marriage took place and plans to contest the dismissal in court.
Ahmed, who hails from the Gharota region of Jammu and joined the CRPF in April 2017, said the decision to terminate his service came as a surprise.&nbsp;
The CRPF accused him of concealing his marriage to Minal Khan, a Pakistani national, and of knowingly allowing her to remain in India beyond her visa expiry, calling his conduct a threat to national security.
&ldquo;I initially came to know about my dismissal through media reports. I shortly received a letter from the CRPF informing me about the dismissal which came as a shock to me and my family as I have sought and received permission for my marriage to a Pakistani woman from the headquarters,&rdquo; Ahmed told a news agency.&nbsp;
The marriage drew attention after the Indian government ordered all Pakistani nationals to leave the country following the Pahalgam terrorist attack, which resulted in 26 deaths. Khan had arrived in India via the Wagah-Attari border on February 28 on a short-term visa valid until March 22. Her deportation was halted by a court order, and she currently resides at Ahmed&rsquo;s home in Jammu.
Ahmed explained that he formally communicated his intention to marry Khan on December 31, 2022. &ldquo;I made the first correspondence on December 31, 2022 informing my wish to marry the Pakistani national and I was asked to complete formalities like enclosing copies of passport, marriage card and affidavits,&rdquo; he said.
According to him, he submitted the required documents, including his own affidavit and those of his parents, the local sarpanch, and the district development council member, through official channels.&nbsp;
&ldquo;I submitted my affidavit and also the affidavits of my parents, sarpanch, and district development council member through proper channels and finally got a go ahead from the headquarters on April 30, 2024,&rdquo; he added.
Ahmed said he inquired about obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) but was informed that it was not necessary as he had already completed all formalities under existing regulations.&nbsp;
&ldquo;I applied for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) but I was told that such a provision is not available and he has already completed the formalities by informing the government about his marriage to a foreign national in accordance with the rules,&rdquo; he stated.
The marriage was conducted virtually on May 24, 2023. &ldquo;We got married online on May 24 last year through a video call. Subsequently, I submitted marriage pictures, 'Nikkah' papers and marriage certificate to my 72 Battalion where I was posted,&rdquo; Ahmed said.
He further explained that after Khan&rsquo;s arrival on February 28, the couple applied for a Long Term Visa in March and fulfilled all necessary procedures, including attending an interview. &ldquo;When she came for the first time on February 28 on a 15-day visa, we applied for Long Term Visa in March itself and completed the necessary formalities including interview,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;
This process led to the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court granting interim relief by halting Khan&rsquo;s deportation on Wednesday.
Following his leave, Ahmed said he resumed duty and was directed to report to the battalion headquarters at Sunderbani on March 25. However, two days later, on March 27, he was abruptly transferred. &ldquo;I was handed over a transfer order and posted with 41st Battalion at Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) without providing 15 days mandatory joining period,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;
&ldquo;I was given the order copy and relieved immediately, leaving me with no option but to join my duties at Bhopal where I joined on March 29.&rdquo;
Ahmed stated that upon reaching Bhopal, he underwent an interview with the commanding officer and deputy and completed all documentation, disclosing his marriage to a Pakistani national.&nbsp;
&ldquo;I faced the interview of the commanding officer and his deputy on reaching there and also completed the documentation process, clearly mentioning my marriage to a Pakistani woman,&rdquo; he said, adding that the information was also entered in the battalion&rsquo;s data record book.
The trooper confirmed that he intends to file a legal challenge against the dismissal in the coming days. &ldquo;I am hopeful of getting justice from the court of law,&rdquo; he said.
(With inputs from agencies)
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A CRPF trooper dismissed for allegedly hiding his marriage to a Pakistani woman says he had prior approval

Trooper Claims CRPF Okayed Marriage to Pak Woman

A CRPF trooper dismissed for allegedly hiding his marriage to a Pakistani woman says he had prior approval

May 4, 2025 | 14:18 IST