THE Ipoh High Court today dismissed M. Indira Gandhi’s leave application to proceed contempt proceedings against the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) for his failure to locate and return her daughter, Prasana Diksa.

The decision to reject the application filed on September 7 last year was made by Judicial Commissioner Bhupindar Singh Gurcharan Singh Preet after hearing submissions from both parties. 

Indira’s lawyer L. Pavitra told reporters the decision outside the court when met. 

“It was just a one-liner decision.

“He (the Judicial Commissioner) denied the application without any orders as to the cost,” Pavitra said. 

Pavitra also said that an appeal would be filed immediately. 

Indira, who was present at court, expressed her disappointment and said that the court decision was expected. 

“Everyone knows this case is dragging without any end solutions. It is very disappointing.”

“We are taking this to the Court of Appeal and we will see how it goes from there,” she said. 

The former kindergarten teacher also expressed her frustration at politicians, saying they were just giving empty promises. 

“As a mother I’ve been waiting too long.”

“I think I have all the rights to see my daughter and no matter what, I will see my daughter,” she added. 

Arun Dorasamy, chairman of the Indira Gandhi Action Team (Ingat), said they would be going to Parliament to seek the help of MPs next.

Arun claimed that the special task force, set up by the police, to trace Prasana, were unsure of Prasana’s existence. 

“None of the law enforcement officers can tell us for certain if she’s alive. Former IGP Hamid Bador said he knows where she is. (If that is the case), why not repatriate her to be with Indira Gandhi?” he asked. 

Prasana was taken away by Indira’s estranged ex-husband K. Padmanathan, after converting to Islam in 2009. 

He changed his name to Muhammad Riduan Abdullah

Prasana was taken by Riduan when she was just 11 months’ old. She turned 14 this year.

Indira filed contempt proceedings claiming the police had failed to comply with a mandamus order issued on May 30, 2014 to recover Prasana and to file an affidavit every month together with copies of the investigation reports.

She has filed a separate RM100 million civil suit against the IGP, the police and the government in the Kuala Lumpur High Court over the authorities’ inaction on the matter. – August 5, 2022.