‘Deep state’ hindering whereabouts of Indira’s Gandhi’s daughter?

I am not sure what the law enforcement authorities are doing and whether they are doing enough to locate Indira Gandhi’s daughter, Prasana Diksa.

Prasana was snatched away by her father, the ex-husband of Indira, Muhammad Riduan Abdullah, when she was hardly one year old. She had then been converted to Islam.

The various court battles resulted in the Federal Court ultimately granting custody of her daughter to Indira. The court also ordered the police to locate Riduan and Prasana, and to return the child to Indira.

However, this was easier said than done.

Since then, the police have been searching for her daughter, with rumours rife that she is being held in southern Thailand, with the help of certain organisations.

Newly-appointed Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador has given his assurance that all efforts will be taken to locate the daughter.

I don’t underestimate the capability of the police force, particularly the Special Branch.

The Special Branch is famous for its counter-insurgency operations. Locating a child hidden by her father should not pose a major problem for them, with their superior network of intelligence.

As such, it is wonder why Indira’s daughter has yet to be found.

Sometimes, I wonder whether the police are being prevented from discharging their duties without fear or favour.

Perhaps, there is the phenomenon of a “deep state”, or a state within a state, that trying to nullify the efforts of the police or the law enforcement agencies in doing their job.

Maybe some politicians are involved in negating the activities of the police? I am not sure.

But the police should be allowed to do their job without any political interference.

Mind you, it is a court order that the police must enforce.

Maybe there is the thinking in certain circles within this “deep state” that Prasana should not be found until she reaches the age of 18 as by that age, she can voluntarily choose her religion.

I understand that Prasana is 10 years old now. So there are chances that she will be found only in eight years’ time.

By that time, it would be too late for Indira to be reunited with Prasana.

You can blame the agencies to some extent in not trying hard enough to locate Indira’s young child.

In the final analysis, fingers will point at the government in power.

Isn’t there a political will on the part of the popularly-elected government to close the chapter on Indira Gandhi’s custody battle?

P Ramasamy is deputy chief minister II of Penang.