PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court has ordered the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to arrest Muslim convert Muhammad Riduan Abdullah for refusing to hand over his youngest child to ex-wife M. Indira Gandhi.
In a unanimous decision today, a five-man panel led by Court of Appeal President Tan Sri Md Raus Sharif reinstated the Ipoh High Court mandamus order against IGP Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.
On Sept 12, 2014, the Ipoh High Court had ordered Khalid to direct his men to enforce the contempt order against Riduan, for failing to abide by the court's ruling to return Prasana, 8, to Indira Gandhi.
The Ipoh Syariah Court had given custody of the couple's three children - Tevy Darsiny, 19, Karan Dinish, 18, and Prasana - to Riduan. The district's Civil High Court gave Indira Gandhi custody over the three children.
In the same proceedings today, the Federal Court panel however affirmed Khalid's right to refuse to execute the same Ipoh High Court's order for the police to locate and return Prasana to Indira Gandhi.
After proceedings, Indira Gandhi, 41, expressed happiness at the ruling as she had waited seven years to be reunited with Prasana, whom Riduan had ran off with in 2009.
"My dream has come true. I cannot describe in words... to be able to my daughter again," said Indira Gandhi as her counsel M. Kula Segaran stood beside her.
Kula, who is also Ipoh Barat MP, said Khalid should not wait any further and must immediately comply with the apex court ruling against 47-year-old Riduan, who is embroiled in a custodial battle with Indira Gandhi over their three children.
Tevi and Karan are currently under the care of Indira Gandhi, who had been a kindergarten teacher for the last 12 years.