Her lawyer, M Kulasegaran, said Ridhuan had been accusing her of being a kafir (non-believer).

“He has often been on WhatsApp to Indira using the same phone number for the last seven years, accusing her of being a kafir.”

The Federal Court today issued a warrant of arrest for Ridhuan for contempt of court.

Judge Md Raus Sharif ordered Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar to arrest Ridhuan for failing to return his youngest child, Prasana Diksa, 7, to her mother as instructed.

Prasana was only 11 months old when Ridhuan abducted her in March 2009.

Kulasegaran said he was thankful for the court’s verdict.

“I was surprised with the court order as I was expecting the worst. I feel Indira’s prayers have finally been answered.”

He said the IGP will have no problem tracing Ridhuan using his mobile phone.

He said it was a landmark decision to go against the IGP as he had refused in the past to execute the warrant of arrest and recovery order issued by the Ipoh High Court, that had directed police to recover Prasana.

Khalid, in Kuching, had confirmed that he would respect the decision of the apex court and get the warrant served on Ridhuan.

Another of Indira’s lawyers, Aston Paiva, said today’s decision showed that the court would not tolerate fathers who abducted their children.

“He will be in prison as long as he does not return Prasana to her mother.”

He said Indira’s lawyers would also look at a recovery order under the Child Act 2001, directing the police to recover Prasana.

He said the Federal Court’s ruling today showed that a Shariah Court order had no legal binding in civil courts.

The judge presiding over the child custody trial ordered the Ipoh High Court to monitor and track the arrest of Ridhuan.

The four-man bench at the Federal Court today said the decision to arrest Ridhuan was justified as he had repeatedly failed to produce the couple’s child, Prasana, in court.

“He defended his action when he was found guilty of not obeying the custody order and he appealed to the Federal Court.

“But when his appeal was struck out, he disappeared with Prasana Diksa,” Judge Raus said.

Others on the bench today were Azahar Mohamed, Zaharah Ibrahim and Aziah Ali.

In 2009, Ridhuan converted to Islam and proceeded to convert his three children as well without the knowledge or consent of their mother.

He also obtained a Shariah Court order, granting him custody of the children.