Chandigarh, May 29 (IANS) Gopal Dass, who returned to India last month after languishing in Pakistani jails for nearly 27 years, tied the knot Sunday - just over 40 days after his return back home.

It was a simple ceremony, with only close relatives and friends being part of the celebrations. The 52-year-old former spy got married to 38-year-old Pinky from Shimla.

"I am happy to be getting married. I had not thought this would also happen one day. This is all fate," Gopal told media persons after the ceremony.

The marriage was solemnised at a gurdwara (Sikh shrine) in the neighbouring Panchkula town of Haryana, 15 km from here.

"This is an arranged marriage and we wanted to keep it a low profile affair," a visibly happy Gopal's elder brother Anand Veer Dass said, even as he tried to control tears of joy.

The family will host a reception for friends and relatives at Chandimandir, near here, Sunday evening.

Gopal Dass was only 25 when he was arrested in Pakistan in 1984 and jailed on charges of being a spy. He spent the next 27 years there in various jails. Already set to be released by the end of this year, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari announced March 27 that he would be let off on humanitarian grounds - ahead of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's visit to Mohali to watch the India-Pakistan World Cup semifinal March 30.

After his release, Gopal had criticised the Indian government and security agencies for not making any effort to secure his release.