Court says police still investigating case of Indira Gandhi’s abducted daughter
IPOH: The High Court has dismissed M. Indira Gandhi’s second bid to cite the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and several others for contempt over failure to find her abducted daughter.
Justice Norsharidah Awang ruled that a prima facie case was not proven to allow leave to commence committal proceedings against the IGP, the police force, Home Ministry and government as cops are still actively investigating the matter.
“The court could not conclude that the proposed contemnors had failed or refused to comply with the court’s directions,” she said yesterday.
“The court is of the view that the application had been filed before sufficient time had elapsed for the authorities to investigate newly surfaced information and take any action that might be warranted.
“The court finds that the evidence relied upon by the applicant, including the alleged utilisation of Sara 100 (RM100 Sumbangan Asas Rahmah cash assistance) and Budi 95 (subsidised fuel) by K. Patmanathan (Indira Gandhi’s ex-husband), is insufficient to establish a prima facie case warranting the grant of leave to commence committal proceedings against the proposed contemnors,” she added.
The judge made no order as to costs.
This was the second time Indira’s attempt to initiate contempt proceedings against the IGP has been rejected by the courts. Her first application was filed on Oct 28, 2020, and dismissed on Aug 2, 2022.
The second application was filed on Nov 17 last year and was heard on Feb 27 this year.
Patmanathan, Indira’s ex-husband, now known as Muhammad Riduan Abdullah, absconded with their youngest daughter Prasana Diksa, 17 years ago.
In 2009, Riduan unilaterally converted his three children to Islam and obtained custody from the Syariah Court.
In 2010, the Ipoh High Court granted full custody of Prasana Diksa to Indira, while in 2016, the Federal Court affirmed a High Court mandamus order to apprehend Riduan and return the girl to her mother.
The apex court also ruled in 2018 that the unilateral conversion was null and void.
Prasana was 11 months old when she was separated from her mother.
Justice Norsharidah said notwithstanding the dismissal of the present application, the proposed contemnors remain under a continuing obligation to take all reasonable and proactive measures to execute the outstanding warrant of committal.
She said action must be taken immediately upon receiving information.
The court fixed Nov 27 for the next case mention.
