Court denies Indira Gandhi’s application for contempt proceedings against IGP

IPOH: The High Court here has denied leave to kindergarten teacher M. Indira Gandhi (pic) to proceed with contempt proceedings against the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) for his failure to locate and return Prasana Diksa.

Judicial Commissioner Bhupindar Singh Gurcharan Singh Preet said this after hearing submissions from both parties, and said that the application filed on Sept 7, 2021 was rejected.

“The application is denied without any order as to cost,” he said.

Her lawyer, L. Pavitra, when met outside the courtroom, said an appeal would be filed.

Indira, who was also present, said she was disappointed with the decision, but she had already anticipated it.

She said the case had been dragging for too long.

“Many politicians have been giving me empty promises.

“As a mother, I have waited for too long, I have my right to see my daughter,” she said outside of the court.

Indira Gandhi Action Team (Ingat) chairman Arun Dorasamy questioned how long more would Indira have to continue with the case.

He said it was really unfortunate that they were not getting any cooperation from the police.

“A special task force was set up by the former IGP to locate Prasana, but we don’t know if that task force still exists.

“We will not relent until Prasana is reunited with Indira. This ‘Iron Lady’ will not rest, and continue to fight until she has her baby in her arms.”

Indira’s ex-husband K. Pathmanathan, now known as Muhammad Riduan Abdullah, had run away with Prasana Diksa on 2009 when she was just 11 months old following a custodial battle with Indira, who was later granted custody over their three children in 2010.

He, as a convert, had also converted his three children to Islam.

The High Court had on May 30, 2014, ordered the police to recover Prasana Diksa and to return her to Indira.

The mandamus also compelled the police to enforce a committal order to arrest and commit Muhammad Riduan Abdullah, 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.

Indira then filed a leave application to begin contempt proceedings against the inspector-general of police (IGP) and his subordinates for their failure to recover Prasana.