Delhi, 30 May (H.S.): The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court directed the Union of India and the CRPF to respond to a petition from CRPF constable Munir Ahmed, dismissed for allegedly concealing his marriage to a Pakistani national. Justice Javed Iqbal Wani issued notices and scheduled a hearing for June 30. Ahmed, from Jammu, claimed he informed the CRPF about his marriage to Minal Khan via video call and submitted all necessary documents, including affidavits, prior to their marriage on May 24, 2024. He asserted that he received formal approval from CRPF headquarters on April 30, 2024.

Following their online marriage, Khan entered India on a short-term visa which expired on March 22, and she applied for a Long-Term Visa, completing required formalities. However, amid rising India-Pakistan tensions after a terror attack, the government revoked visas for Pakistani nationals, ordering Khan's deportation. This prompted Ahmed and Khan to approach the High Court. The CRPF charged Ahmed with failing to disclose his marriage and harboring his wife beyond her visa’s validity, viewing these actions as breaches of service conduct rules and a threat to national security. An internal investigation determined that Ahmed did not inform the department about his wife's overstayed visa and made misleading statements during court proceedings. Ahmed claimed he adhered to all procedures, arguing that his dismissal was arbitrary and unjust. Advocates Ankur Sharma and Sumant Sudan represented the petitioner and the Union, respectively.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar