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New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
CRPF jawan sacked for marrying Pakistani woman moves J&K High Court
SRINAGAR: A CRPF jawan from Jammu and Kashmir, Munir Ahmed, who was dismissed from service for marrying a Pakistani woman, has moved the Jammu and Kashmir High Court to challenge his termination. Ahmed, through his counsel Ankur Sharma, a BJP leader, filed a petition in the Jammu wing of the High Court contesting his sacking. Justice Javed Iqbal Wani has issued notices to the respondents – Director General CRPF, and Commandants of the CRPF's 41 Battalion at Bangrasia, Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), and 72 Battalion at Sodra, Sunderbani in J&K's Rajouri district. The court has directed the respondents to file their objections on or before the next date of hearing, which has been scheduled for June 30. Munir Ahmed, who joined CRPF in 2017 and has served in Chhattisgarh, Bihar, J&K and Madhya Pradesh, was dismissed from service on May 2 for marrying a Pakistani woman, Menal Khan, who is also his cousin. Ahmed maintains that he had informed the CRPF headquarters about his intention to marry a Pakistani national. 'My marriage with Pakistani national Menal Khan, who is also my cousin, was decided by our elders during my childhood. In 2022, I informed the CRPF officials of my intent to marry a Pakistani national (Menal Khan) and sought permission for marriage. Responding to a letter dated 24/01/2023 by CRPF in which some queries were raised, I submitted required documents on 18/10/2023. Again, on 05/11/2023, I sought clearance/NOC for marriage with Menal,' Munir told The New Indian Express.
Time of India
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
CRPF constable sacked for "concealing" marriage to Pak woman claims he informed higher-ups
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) constable, Munir Ahmad , who was recently dismissed from service for concealing his marriage to a Pakistnational has claimed that he had informed the CRPF headquarters through an official letter, and had also sent his marriage card. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack India much better equipped to target cross-border terror since Balakot India conducts maiden flight-trials of stratospheric airship platform Pakistan shuts ports for Indian ships after New Delhi bans imports from Islamabad He said he had married his wife, Menal Khan, who also related to him, on May 24, 2024. Initially he claimed that in 2023, the CRPF had rejected his letter which informed about the marriage, however in 2024, after his letter was sent through multiple officials of CRPF and ultimately to headquarters in New Delhi, he had received a confirmation that CRPF had acknowledged the marriage. "I was already working in CRPF before marriage, and to get permission for the marriage and inform the headquarters, I had written a letter on December 31, 2022, they had objected to certain things and returned the letter on January 24, 2023. In that letter the marriage's card and all information was there, I had given it all to the 72 CRPF battalion in Sunderbani," the former CRPF constable told ANI at his residence in Jammu. He detailed that he he had met with the commandant of the CRPF battalion too, and eventually his letter was sent through proper channels to Jammu sector CRPF, to SDG, and finally to Delhi headquarters of CRPF, where he received a reply from them. "I met with the Commandant sir, and the letter was sent through proper channels, DIG range, then Jammu sector RG CRPF, then SDG, it went till CRPF Delhi. There it took around five months, then we got a reply, where they had said that the rule clearly states that the department has to be notified. In that reply it was written clearly that I had informed the department," Munir Ahmad said. Live Events He further showed the letter to ANI, claiming that the letter mentions that the applicant had informed about the marriage before. "I had informed before marriage and after too. The letter dated April 30 2024 clearly states that, and there is nothing written about an NOC." Talking about his marriage, he added, "Our marriage happened on 24 May 2024, through video conference. She is my cousin, she is the daughter of my Mom's brother. They stay in Sialkot, Pakistan , and before partition, my house is here only and the families used to stay together but after partition the family went to Pakistan. After that, the elders of the family decided on our marriage from a young age." He claimed that initially his marriage was halted due to health complications of his father, but ultimately the families decided to conduct the marriage through video conferencing. "Initially there was trouble getting the letter, and also getting the visa, and my dad is a cancer patient so there were some health problems too, but ultimately the marriage happened through video conferencing," he said. The former CRPF constable also showed copies of the records kept by the CRPF office, where his wife Menal Khan was registered as his wife, and as a Pakistani national. He also showed the letter sent to Inspector General of CRPF of Jammu sector, where he had requested for a getting permission and obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for marrying a Pakistani National girl . In the letter to the IG, it was written that his original request submitted on December 31, 2022 was returned by the Commandant of 72 CRPF battalion. The letter was later sent to the Delhi headquarters of CRPF. On May 3 this year, the CRPF said that actions of Ahmad of 41 Battalion were found to be in violation of service conduct and detrimental to national security. "In a matter of serious concern, 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. His actions were found to be in violation of service conduct and detrimental to national security," CRPF said in a statement. The controversy erupted in wake of India taking strong measures against Pakistan after the Pahalgam attack, where 26 people, mostly tourists were killed.
The Print
02-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Constable faces action for marrying Pakistani without CRPF nod as case comes to light after Pahalgam
Menal Khan entered India from the Wagah border on 28 February 2024 on a short-term visa and has been living at Munir Ahmed's home since then. Her visa, however, expired on 22 March this year, and she is yet to get a long-term visa, which she applied for, a long time ago. The case pertains to Constable Munir Ahmed, who married Pakistani national Menal Khan, while his application for a departmental nod to marry her was still pending. New Delhi: The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) initiated departmental action Thursday against a personnel of constable rank for marrying a Pakistani woman without permission and not informing the force of his wife's stay in India after her tourist visa had expired, ThePrint has learnt. In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, the CRPF proceedings against Munir Ahmed on 1 May. The action came after an exit permit to Menal Khan signaled her deportation. Munir Ahmed approached the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, which then offered Menal Khan interim relief, allowing her to stay until the next hearing date, 14 May. The 22 April attack that killed 25 Indian and one Nepalese citizen jolted India, with the Centre revoking the visas of Pakistani nationals living in India and issuing exit permits. The court, however, noted that her long-term visa request had, for long, been pending. Advocate Ankur Sharma, a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party, represented Munir Ahmed in court. Having fought the last general polls from Jammu on an Ekam Sanatan Bharat Dal ticket, he joined the BJP in the presence of national president J.P. Nadda and working president in the Union Territory Sat Sharma. A CRPF official well versed in service laws stated that a government servant who marries or intends to marry a person of foreign nationality is required to inform the government. The officer further added that Pakistan is not just any foreign country, and since CRPF personnel are directly involved in national security duties, greater caution is expected in such cases. 'He had informed the force about his proposed marriage, according to the established rules. However, given India's sensitive and precarious relationship with Pakistan, and considering the national security responsibilities of the CRPF personnel, he should have waited for formal approval before solemnising the marriage,' the official said. WhatsApp marriage: What CRPF found According to a communication sent by the Jammu zonal headquarters of the CRPF to the Directorate General in Delhi—a copy of which ThePrint has seen—Munir Ahmed from the 72 battalion of the force, on 18 October 2023, approached his commandant for permission to marry Menal Khan. The commandant forwarded the request to his higher officer of deputy inspector general rank in Hiranagar, Jammu. Subsequently, the senior officer forwarded it to the Jammu and Kashmir zonal headquarters. In November 2023, the zonal headquarters sought Munir Ahmed's joining documents from when he became a part of the force, and a certificate from his village head confirming that the proposed marriage was his first. There was back-and-forth communication between J&K and New Delhi on Munir Ahmed's application, but it remained under consideration. The CRPF, of late, learnt that Munir Ahmed, on 24 May 2024, married Menal Khan over a WhatsApp video call. In a communication dated Thursday, the Jammu sector of the force warned of probable action against Munir Ahmed. While citing grounds for departmental action against him, the force has listed his going ahead with the marriage without waiting for departmental nod and not informing the department of his wife's overstay after her visa expired. The communication said Menal Khan entered India from the Wagah border on a tourist visa valid till 22 March this year. Munir Ahmed, it said, did not inform the department that his wife was in India even after her visa had expired. Also, Munir stated that his wife had applied for a long-term visa but did not relay the information formally to the department.' On the other hand, the court order from 29 April mentioned that an individual witness stated that Munir informed the department—CRPF—of his intent to marry a Pakistani national. His application, however, remained under examination/consideration. 'This department has not granted permission to the above individual. However, in the court order, there is a mention of nikahnama (marriage certificate) and wedding card, which are enclosed. He has not informed the department, which is a violation,' the communication said, concluding that it seemed the individual witness misled the court with a false statement. (Edited by Madhurita Goswami) Also Read: Pakistan Army's new morale-boosting song greeted with memes & mockery
News18
02-05-2025
- News18
CRPF To Initiate Action Against Constable Munir Ahmed Who Married Pakistani Girl
Last Updated: According to a report accessed by News18, before the department could process or grant approval, the marriage was solemnised through a WhatsApp video call on May 24, 2024. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is set to initiate departmental action against constable Munir Ahmed who proceeded with marriage to a Pakistani national despite the absence of formal approval, raising significant concerns over procedural violation and national security. In a report reviewed by News18, CRPF has said that the constable, currently posted in the 41st Battalion, had earlier submitted a request for permission to marry a Pakistani woman named Menal Khan. However, before the department could process or grant approval, the marriage was reportedly solemnised through a WhatsApp video call on May 24, 2024. This unauthorised act has triggered a formal review and disciplinary process. The report also says that it was a policy decision and J&K zone suggested that request of marriage may not be granted. 'As the instant case requires a policy decision being a case of marriage with Pakistani girl and matter of national security, the proposal was re-submitted to Headquarter, J&K Zone, vide this office letter with opinion that NOC may not be granted and a policy decision should be taken for dealing with such type of cases," the report reviewed by News18 says. According to the report, several lapses were observed in the constable's conduct, including failure to inform the department about his wife's continued stay in India beyond her visa validity and making potentially misleading statements in court proceedings. Violation in the report According to the report, Constable Munir Ahmed didn't inform department about various developments. 'The case for granting permission with a Pakistani girl was pending with the department i.e CRPF, but Munir Ahmed solemnised the marriage with Menal Khan without waiting for the decision/permission from department," the missive says. 'Wife of Munir Ahmed, namely Menal Khan, entered from Wagah Border in India through Pakistani Passport on tourist visa which was valid upto 22/03/2025, but the individual has not informed the department that his wife is still residing in India after expiring of visa. Further, he had stated that his wife has applied for Long Term Visa but the fact was not informed by individual to department," the report says. The report also says that the constable claimed in court that he had informed CRPF of his marriage, but no such approval was granted. 'The marriage was performed digitally via a WhatsApp call, raising questions about procedural and legal validity. His failure to disclose the presence and visa status of his Pakistani spouse poses a potential security concern," the report says. In light of the recent Pahalgam terror attack and the Government of India's directive to deport all Pakistani nationals, Khan was taken to Wagah Border for deportation. However, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court granted her a 10-day stay on April 29, 2025, pending further hearing. The CRPF has concluded that the constable violated conduct rules under Rule 21(3) of the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964, and departmental disciplinary action is now being considered. First Published: May 02, 2025, 09:40 IST
