New Delhi: CRPF trooper Munir Ahmed, dismissed from service for concealing his marriage to a Pakistani woman, claimed that the force did grant him permission for marriage. He said that he received permission in April 2024 from the CRPF Headquarters.
Received information about dismissal through media reports: Ahmed
Ahmed claimed that he came to know about his dismissal from service through media reports. “I initially came to know about my dismissal through media reports. I shortly received a letter from the CRPF informing me about the dismissal, which came as a shock to me and my family, as I had sought and received permission for my marriage to a Pakistani woman from the headquarters”, PTI quoted him as saying.
The dismissed CRPF personnel said that he made the first correspondence regarding the matter on December 31, 2022. He claimed to have informed the headquarters about his wish to marry a Pakistani national, following which he was asked to complete the formalities regarding the same. He was reportedly asked to submit copies of the passport, marriage card, and affidavits.
He said, “I submitted my affidavit, along with affidavits from my parents, sarpanch and district development council member and got a go ahead from the headquarters on April 30, 2024.”
Ahmed was dismissed from service without any notice or enquiry on Saturday. The dismissal came under rules that allow immediate dismissal for sensitive matters. Ahmed’s dismissal was justified saying that this was necessary due to threats to national security.
Ahmed failed to inform about marriage to Pakistan national: CRPF
Though the trooper claims that he informed about his marriage to his seniors, an internal enquiry found otherwise. The enquiry report said that Ahmed failed to inform them about his marriage or the fact that his wife overstayed her Visa. This was a clear protocol breach and a potential security risk, they said.
Ahmed in his defence claimed that his wife applied for a long term Visa in March and also appeared for the interview for the same. This was after her 15-day Visa expired. She had come to India on a short term Visa on February 28. The 2 married in May 2024 in an online ceremony officiated by religious leaders from both countries.
Ahmed claimed harassment at the hands of the CRPF seniors. He said that he was transferred to Bhopal soon after rejoining duty, following a leave. He was asked to report to the battalion headquarters at Sunderbani on March 25. But on March 27, he was handed a transfer and posted with the 41st Battalion in Bhopal, without being given the mandatory 15-day joining period.
Following his dismissal from service, Ahmed plans to approach the courts, to challenge the decision by the CRPF. Meanwhile his wife’s deportation was stayed by the high court and she is staying at the Jammu residence of Ahmed.
