High Court Seeks Response from CRPF on Dismissal of Ex-Constable for Marrying Pakistani Woman

Court Notice Issued Regarding Dismissal Case

The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has requested the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to respond to a petition filed by a former constable, who was dismissed from service for allegedly hiding his marriage to a Pakistani national, as reported by a news outlet on Thursday.

In a dismissal order dated May 3, the CRPF accused Munir Ahmed of 'knowingly harbouring' his wife after her visa had expired.

Munir contends that he had received approval for the marriage on April 30 of the previous year.

A resident of Bhalwal in Jammu and Kashmir, Munir was last assigned to the 41st battalion of the CRPF in Bhopal, having previously served in the 72nd battalion in Jammu and Kashmir.

His marriage to Minal Khan, a Pakistani citizen, reportedly came to light following India's directive for Pakistani nationals to exit the country by April 27, in response to a terror attack in Pahalgam that resulted in 26 fatalities.

The CRPF stated that Munir's actions were in breach of service conduct and posed a threat to national security.

In his court petition, Munir characterized his dismissal as 'arbitrary, capricious, and whimsical,' asserting that he had consistently informed the authorities about his marriage plans since 2022, according to the news report.

He also mentioned that he had notified the CRPF of his marriage to Khan on May 24 of the previous year.

The petition claims that Munir had communicated his intention to marry in 2022, to which the CRPF had raised some objections. Munir responded to these concerns in October 2023.

On November 17, 2023, the inspector general of the CRPF informed the special director general of police that Munir had submitted adequate documentation as per the provisions of Central Civil Services Conduct Rule 21(3), which requires government employees to inform their department upon marrying someone of a different nationality.

Munir's petition also stated that he sought guidance on the matter to facilitate a final decision.

According to the petition, the deputy inspector general communicated on December 12, 2023, that Munir had fulfilled his obligation to inform the department and had submitted the necessary documents for further action.

On April 30, 2024, the director general of the CRPF confirmed that Munir had complied with the rules regarding notification. However, it was noted that there was no mention of a no objection certificate being issued.

Munir married Khan through video conferencing on May 24 of the previous year, with the marriage registered in both Pakistan and India. He claimed to have informed the CRPF about this through representations made in October and December.

Upon his transfer to the 41st battalion in Bhopal in March, he also disclosed his marriage to the new commandant.

Munir stated that Khan had been in India on a visiting visa until February 28 and had applied for a long-term visa on March 4, which remains pending, as reported.

In response to the petition, Justice Javed Iqbal Wani issued notices to the Centre, the CRPF director general, and the 41st and 72nd battalions.

The court has set a deadline for them to submit any objections by the next hearing scheduled for June 30.