IGP: We will track down Indira Gandhi's daughter

- Bernama

PETALING JAYA: The police will track down M. Indira Gandhi's daughter following the landmark Federal Court decision on unilateral conversion of children.

"We will investigate the location of the daughter and ex-husband and I will instruct my men to find them," said Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Haron.

Indira's ex-husband Muhammad Riduan Abdullah, who was K. Padmanathan before he converted to Islam, had taken Prasana away when she was just 11 months old.

"We are aware of the court's decision on her case and we will abide by it," said Mohamad Fuzi.

He was also reported by a news portal as saying that police had some leads where Riduan and Prasana were presently, but would not divulge any more information as the investigations were ongoing.

The Federal Court on Monday in a unanimous decision granted an appeal by Indira, a kindergarten teacher, and nullified the unilateral conversion of her three children, Tevi Darshiny, 20; Karan Dinesh, 18; and Prasana Diksa, now eight years old.

In the 99-page judgment, Justice Zainun Ali said consent of both parents must be sought in cases of religious conversion and the word "parent" in Article 12(4) of the Federal Constitution should not be construed literally.

"It must require the consent of both parents. Custody of the children, appellant, has dominant influence in their lives.

"Serious interference in their lives, would be a very wrong thing," he said.

The Federal Court on April 29, 2016 had ordered the Inspector-General of Police to execute a warrant of arrest for Riduan, who had disobeyed the Ipoh High Court's order to return Prasana to her mother after granting Indira full custody of her children.

Former IGP Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar previously refused to carry out that order, claiming there were contradicting orders from the Syariah Court and the civil courts.