While K Pathmanathan @ Mohd Ridhuan Abdullah had committed contempt for not producing in court his youngest daughter Prasana Diksa, and did not attend today's proceedings at the Federal Court, his lawyer however believes that his client is still in the country.

Lawyer Hatem Musa said he tried to contact Ridhuan yesterday to persuade him to attend the apex court after it had given him the opportunity to do so in order to purge his contempt.

“I tried to contact him but could not get him. I tried to contact him through third parties but could not do so,” he said when asked by reporters.

“I still believe he is still in the country,” he said.

Ridhuan's former wife M Indira Gandhi, 41, also agreed and challenged him to come forward.

The kindergarten teacher said he had contacted their other two children using the same phone number of his.

“Do not be a coward. I won't stop your visitation rights to meet the children.

“Just bring my daughter back,” she told the media after the proceeding.

Indira Gandhi last met Prasana (Ummu Habiba) in 2010.

At the proceeding today, Indira Gandhi's lawyers did not object to Hatem addressing the court in reply.

They informed the five-member bench led by Chief Judge of Malaya Justice Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin that they intend to continue with the appeal.

On April 29, it was reported that a five-member bench led by Court of Appeal president Justice Md Raus Sharif ordered that a warrant of arrest be issued against Ridhuan.

The bench also ordered the inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar to locate Ridhuan and bring Prasana to the jurisdiction of the court.