By Lee Wei Lian- The malaysian insider
KUALA LUMPUR, April 24 — The Ipoh High Court today granted interim custody of three children to Indira Ghandi, who is battling her estranged husband over their new Islamic faith.
Judicial Commissioner Ridwan Ibrahim also granted Indira a restraining order against her husband until the full custody hearing on May 12 and also ordered the husband to surrender the youngest child to the mother and for the police to assist with the matter.
Indira’s conversion battle began when her husband K. Patmanathan, now known as Mohd Ridzuan Abdullah, converted her three children, aged one, 11 and 12 years, without her knowledge and consent earlier this month.
He also took custody of the youngest without obtaining mutual agreement and obtained a Syariah Court order to gain custody of the older two siblings.
Indira had opposed the unilateral conversion and is seeking custody of all her children.
“We just got the court order for interim custody and an injunction to restrain the husband,” said M.Kulasegaran, who is part of Indira’s legal team.
He also described the High Court ruling today as a “victory for Malaysians and equality.”
Indira’s lead counsel Augustine Anthony said he argued that the mother should be granted custody of the youngest child as the baby is still breastfeeding and Ridwan had agreed.
“Ridwan gave priority to the case and heard the matter after 4.30 pm which is when they normally stop for the day,” said Augustine.
Ridwan was also the Judicial Commissioner who heard several cases in connection with the power grab by Barisan Nasional in Perak.
Indira has lodged a police report seeking the return of her youngest child and says that she will not leave the police station until then.
To soothe uneasiness over the controversial conversion of minors to Islam, the Cabinet decided on Wednesday that Muslim converts had to meet their marriage commitments and raise their children in the religion they were in at the time of their marriage.
It also directed the Attorney-General to look at which laws need to be amended in line with the decision to stop the conversion of minors without the consent of both parents.
Kulasegaran, who is DAP Ipoh Barat MP, added he has spoken to Minister in the Prime Minister’s department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz to synchronise the various acts and regulations and will seek a meeting with him next week.
“I am hoping that the amendments can be tabled in the June sitting of parliament,” said Kulasegaran, adding the opposition would support such amendments.
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