A YEAR after a landmark court decision granting M. Indira Gandhi custody of her child, who was snatched by her husband in a custody battle, she is still waiting for the authorities to locate her daughter.

Her case sparked national interest as nothing happened after the court ordered police to locate her ex-husband and take custody of her youngest daughter, Prasana Diksa, whom she was separated from nine years ago.

Indira told The Malaysian Insight yesterday that she has yet to hear from police and be reunited with her daughter after the court proceedings on January 29 last year.

The 44-year-old former kindergarten teacher is now at her wits’ end.

She lost her job after the Ipoh kindergarten she taught at closed down three months ago, but that does not come close to the ordeal of waiting for Prasana to be returned to her.

She said she feels betrayed by the justice system.

“I have exhausted all avenues looking for my daughter. There are also no updates from police.

“I am no longer represented by lawyer M. Kula Segaran, who was made minister. I don’t know who to turn to now.”

Police have been ordered to locate her ex-husband, K. Pathmanathan @ Muhammad Riduan Abdullah, and Prasana.

Criminal Investigation Department director Wan Ahmad Najmuddin Mohd said despite media statements issued and calls for the public to help track down Riduan, the authorities are no closer to finding him.

He said police have been searching for Riduan since a warrant was issued by the Ipoh High Court on May 20, 2014.

Indira said she does not have the energy or financial means to undertake a legal battle against police.

“If I want to take action against police, it’s going to be another big problem for me.

“Financially, I can’t hire a lawyer right now.

“I don’t know why the inspector-general of police (Mohamad Fuzi Harun) is silent on this matter.”

She said all she wants is to be reunited with her daughter.

“When is this torture going to end? The court has already made a decision. What else can I do?”

Last year, a five-man Federal Court bench unanimously decided that the conversion to Islam of Indira’s three children by Riduan was null and void.

The court also ruled that the conversion of minors requires the consent of both parents to be deemed legal.

Indira turned to the courts after Riduan abducted Prasana after unilaterally converting the couple’s three children to Islam in 2009. Prasana was only 11 months old then.

Indira has another daughter, aged 21, and a 20-year-old son, both of whom are staying with her.

“Now, I’m giving part-time tuition classes, and some family members are helping out.

“I’m also looking for a job as I have to support my two children, who are still studying.” – February 5, 2019.