Hours after being dismissed from service for allegedly concealing his marriage with a Pakistani national, CRPF trooper Munir Ahmed on Saturday claimed he had obtained prior approval from the force’s headquarters and will challenge the dismissal in court.
Ahmed, a resident of Gharota in Jammu and a CRPF constable since 2017, was sacked for allegedly hiding his marriage with Pakistani citizen Minal Khan and for harbouring her beyond the validity of her visa. The CRPF stated that his actions were detrimental to national security.
“I came to know about my dismissal through media reports and shortly received a formal letter from CRPF. It was shocking for me and my family. I had followed all the rules and got the necessary permission,” Ahmed told PTI over the phone.
He said he informed CRPF headquarters about his intent to marry Khan on December 31, 2022, and after submitting the required documents — including affidavits and passport copies — he received official approval on April 30, 2024. The couple were married online via video call on May 24, 2024.
Khan entered India on February 28 this year on a short-term visa which expired on March 22. The High Court of J&K and Ladakh later stayed her deportation. The couple had also applied for a Long Term Visa in March.
Ahmed said he had declared the marriage during his transfer to the 41st Battalion in Bhopal and updated it in his service record.
“I will move the court in a few days. I am confident I will get justice,” he said.
The dismissal comes amid heightened security concerns following the Pahalgam terror attack, which led to India tightening visa norms for Pakistani nationals.