IPOH: A High Court here has dismissed a leave application by kindergarten teacher M. Indira Gandhi (pic) to proceed with contempt proceedings against the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) for failing to locate and return her daughter.
Judicial Commissioner Bhupindar Singh Gurcharan Singh Preet said he had come to this decision after hearing submissions from both parties.
“The application filed on Sept 7, 2021, is denied without any order as to cost,” he said yesterday.
When met outside the courtroom, Indira’s lawyer L. Pavitra said an appeal would be filed against the decision.
Indira, who was also present, said she was disappointed with the decision though she had already anticipated it.
“Many parties, including politicians, have been giving me empty promises.
“As a mother, I have waited for too long. I have my right to see my daughter,” said the visibly upset Indira.
Indira Gandhi Action Team (Ingat) chairman Arun Dorasamy said a special task force was set up by a former IGP to locate Indira’s daughter, Prasana Diksa.
“But we don’t know if that task force still exists,” he added.
Indira’s ex-husband K. Pathmanathan, now known as Muhammad Riduan Abdullah, had on March 11, 2009, converted to Islam and unilaterally converted their three children – Tevi Darsiny, P. Karan Dinish and Prasana Diksa – as well.
On Sept 29, 2009, he obtained a custody order for the children from the Syariah High Court.
It was reported that Prasana was taken away the same year when she was only 11 months old.
Indira then filed an application in the High Court for custody and this was granted to her on March 11, 2010. The couple divorced in August 2012.
In January 2018, the Federal Court nullified the unilateral conversion of the children.
The High Court had on May 30, 2014, ordered the police to recover Prasana Diksa and to return her to Indira.
The order also compelled the police to enforce a committal order to arrest and commit Muhammad Riduan to prison, which is still pending to date.
Indira then filed contempt proceedings as the police had failed to comply with the order issued to recover Prasana.
She then filed a leave application to begin contempt proceedings against the IGP and his subordinates for their failure to recover Prasana.
Separately, Indira also filed a RM100mil suit against the IGP, the police and the government at the Kuala Lumpur High Court.
