V Thevitthra’s lawyer R Renuga said Justice Julie Lack issued the order during a committal hearing against R Kannan, 38, who allegedly took K Krisha away in September 2023.

“The court found Kannan in contempt and gave him until 4pm on May 14 to purge the contempt by returning the child to the plaintiff at her solicitor’s office,” said Renuga.

She said failure to comply would activate a committal warrant and would result in Kannan being sent to prison. He was also ordered to pay RM10,000 in costs to Thevitthra.

Kannan was not present in court but was represented by lawyer Sreedhara Naidu.

Thevitthra, 32, was previously granted interim custody of Krisha amid ongoing divorce proceedings.

Her husband, who lived separately, was allowed to meet the girl in a public place twice a month for up to seven hours on each occasion, as ordered by the High Court.

In September 2023, during a visit at a mall in George Town, Penang, Kannan drove off, taking Krisha with him.

Later that evening, Thevitthra received a text message from her husband saying they had “gone to KL”.

Krisha has not been returned to her since.

According to Renuga, Kannan subsequently relocated to Dubai and has obtained a visa allowing him to reside there.

The High Court had granted Thevitthra sole custody of Krisha on May 17 last year.