JAMMU: Munir Ahmed, a resident of J&K’s Bhalwal, moved the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh at Jammu, challenging his dismissal from service for marrying a Pakistani national. In his argument he stated that he had informed the force about his marriage to his cousin, Menal Khan on May 24 last year. He told the court that not only he informed 72 Battalion stationed at Sodra, Sunderbani in Rajouri district but also his last posting at the 41st Battalion of the CRPF at Bangrasia, Bhopal. Ahmed married his cousin, Menal Khan, on May 24, 2024, via online video conferencing. He showed as proof all related documents, including the Indian Nikahnama, Pakistani marriage certificate, and wedding invitation. As per his saying the marriage was legally registered in both countries. After the marriage his wife Menal legally entered India on February 28, 2025, using a valid short-term visa. On March 4, 2025, she applied for a Long Term Visa (LTV). The petition notes that several Members of Parliament supported the visa application through written recommendations. In an official order on May 2, the Commandant 41st Battalion of the CRPF at Bangrasia, Bhopal – where he was currently posted – told Munir Ahmed was being dismissed “with immediate effect” for having “harboured a Pakistani National in India”. Munir Ahmed was dismissed after his wife Menal received a notice to ‘Leave India’ because she is a Pakistani national, in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people on April 22. According to sources, Ahmed in his defense alleges that he was terminated in an “arbitrary, capricious and whimsical”. According to the CRPF, Article 311 of the Constitution, which outlines the safeguards for civil servants against arbitrary dismissal or removal from service, was used to immediately terminate him. The CRPF, while terminating Ahmed, had said: “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.” Ahmed in his plea stated to court “This order violates my fundamental rights under Article 21 of the Constitution. I have been punished for marrying across the border”. On charges of harbouring a foreign national, Munir said his wife had been on a “visit visa” until February 28 this year and had applied for a Long-Term Visa on March 4, which was still pending.
