CRPF Constable Dismissed For Marrying Pakistani Woman Challenges Termination In J&K High Court

Last Updated:May 28, 2025, 12:31 IST

The petitioner said he followed the rules, which only require an employee to intimate the department about marriage with a foreign national

According to Ahmed’s petition, he had informed the department back in 2022 of his intent to marry a Pakistani woman.(Representational image/PTI)

Munir Ahmed, a 31-year-old constable in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), has approached the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh at Jammu, challenging his dismissal from service for marrying his cousin, a Pakistani national.

Ahmed alleges that he was terminated in an “arbitrary, capricious and whimsical" manner by CRPF authorities after marrying his cousin. 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. CRPF recently terminated another jawan involved in espionage in the same manner.

According to Ahmed’s petition, he had informed the department back in 2022 of his intent to marry a Pakistani woman. “I duly informed my officials and submitted an application seeking permission," he stated in the petition. However, the department rejected the request on January 24, 2023, raising objections. In response, Ahmed submitted detailed replies on October 18, 2023, addressing each concern raised.

The petitioner argued that he followed the rules under Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rule 21(3), which only require an employee to intimate the department about a marriage with a foreign national. Internal CRPF communications, including one dated April 30, 2024, from the Director General of Police, CRPF, confirm this. “There is no mention of issuing any no objection certificate under the rules. The petitioner has intimated the department well within the rules," reads the letter.

Ahmed married his cousin, Menal Khan, on May 24, 2024, via online video conferencing. He submitted all related documents, including the Indian Nikahnama, Pakistani marriage certificate, and wedding invitation. The marriage was legally registered in both countries.

His wife 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), which was under process at the time of Ahmed’s dismissal. The petition notes that several Members of Parliament supported the visa application through written recommendations.

Despite repeated representations and submission of documents, Ahmed was dismissed from service on May 2, 2025, while he was on sanctioned leave to care for his ailing father, who is battling cancer. “I was on leave from April 28 to May 3 for domestic problems. Still, I was terminated without proper inquiry," he said.

The termination order accused Ahmed of “harbouring a Pakistani national in India" without informing authorities, which he denies. “I have consistently informed my superiors and submitted every required document. The accusation is completely baseless," he told the court.

Ahmed’s performance records also reflect positively on him. His Annual Performance Reports for 2023 and 2024 rate him as “Very Good," and he has not faced any disciplinary action during his service.

Through his writ petition, Ahmed has asked the court to quash the termination orders, reinstate him with full back wages, and direct the CRPF to allow him to continue serving. He is also seeking interim relief to stay the operation of the dismissal order while the case is heard.

“This order violates my fundamental rights under Article 21 of the Constitution. I have been punished for following the rules just because I married across the border," Ahmed stated in his plea.

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."

Location :

Jammu and Kashmir, India, India

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