Jammu, May 4: Munir Ahmad, a constable with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), who was recently dismissed for allegedly hiding his marriage to a Pakistani national, has claimed that he had properly informed his superiors through an official letter and had even sent his wedding invitation.
Ahmad stated that he married Menal Khan, his cousin from Sialkot, Pakistan, on May 24, 2024. He alleged that although his initial attempt to inform the CRPF in 2023 was rejected, he eventually resubmitted his application through the proper chain of command. This included the 72 Battalion in Sunderbani, the DIG, Jammu Sector, and eventually CRPF headquarters in Delhi, which he claims later acknowledged the information.
“I was already serving in the CRPF when I got married. On December 31, 2022, I submitted a letter requesting permission, which included the wedding card and full details. The letter was returned on January 24, 2023, with some objections. Later, I personally met with my commandant and ensured the letter was forwarded through the proper channels,” Ahmad said from his home in Jammu.
He added that after a five-month wait, the CRPF headquarters replied, confirming that the department had indeed been informed. “The letter dated April 30, 2024, clearly acknowledges that I had notified the CRPF both before and after the marriage. It does not mention any requirement for a No Objection Certificate (NOC),” he emphasized.
Ahmad explained that the marriage was arranged since childhood and eventually took place via video conferencing due to his father’s health issues and visa challenges. He said his father is battling cancer, which also caused delays.
He showed records to the media where his wife, Menal Khan, was listed in CRPF documents as a Pakistani national, and also produced a copy of the letter addressed to the Inspector General of CRPF in the Jammu sector requesting approval and an NOC.
Despite this, on May 3, the CRPF issued a statement saying Ahmad, who was with the 41 Battalion, was terminated for concealing his marriage and for allegedly harboring his Pakistani wife beyond her visa’s validity, which they deemed a breach of conduct and a national security concern.
This development follows heightened security and political tensions between India and Pakistan, particularly after the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, most of whom were tourists.
