KUALA LUMPUR: A reward of RM50,000 has been offered for information leading to the whereabouts of Indira Gandhi’s daughter, Prasana Diksa, amidst calls for the police to step up their game and unite the mother and daughter.
The reward was offered by the Indira Gandhi Action Team (Ingat), which also wanted information leading to the arrest of Indira’s ex-husband, Riduan Abdullah, also known as Patma-nathan Krishnan, who disappeared with Prasana 17 years ago.
Ingat chairman Arun Dorai-samy said based on the information they had received so far, it was highly likely that the daughter, Riduan and his new wife were residing either in Pasir Puteh (Kelantan), Sintok (Kedah), Penang or Perlis.
He said their checks had revealed that Riduan had allegedly travelled to Southern Thailand on several occasions through rat routes at the borders.
Riduan may have been assisted by sympathisers linked to religious or community networks in those states.
In a statement, Arun said the reward was intended to encourage the public to come forward with credible leads.
“This case has gone on for far too long. A mother has been separated from her child for years. We urge anyone with reliable information to step forward. Confidentiality will be protected.
“Ingat also identified two individuals believed to have information that could assist investigations,” he said, pointing to Riduan’s new wife, 33, and another individual, 48, from Chuping in Perlis.
The group also reminded the public that giving false information was an offence and that the reward would only be released once authorities confirm Riduan’s detention.
On Tuesday, Ingat released new evidence allegedly linked to Riduan’s whereabouts and accused the police of nonfeasance (failure to perform an act that is required by law) in carrying out the Federal Court’s 2018 order to track down Riduan and Prasana.
It was also reported that Riduan was believed to be in Malay-sia, and not Thailand, as police have claimed.
This conclusion was drawn after Riduan’s name surfaced in connection with the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) RM100 and Budi95 government aid programmes, which are only applicable in the country.
Meanwhile, women’s rights activist and former Women’s Aid Organisation executive director Ivy Josiah expressed both admiration and outrage over the ongoing ordeal faced by Indira in her quest to reunite with her daughter.
“I have great admiration for Indira Gandhi’s persistence in the search for her daughter.
“However, I am deeply disappointed and angered with police’s alleged inaction. Surely the police have the resources and intelligence to locate (Riduan) and Prasana,” she said.
Josiah said the case was a painful reminder of how justice delayed continued to deny closure to a mother who has spent over a decade seeking the return of her child, despite multiple court rulings in her favour.
“This is not merely about one mother’s suffering, it’s about the system’s accountability to enforce the law and uphold the rights of women and children.”
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
