A married couple is suing the Federal Territory Islamic Department, its enforcement officers and government for detaining them in a khalwat (close proximity) raid at a budget hotel last month.

Self-employed Mohd Ridhuan Giman, 34, his wife Siti Sarah Maulad Abdullah, 26, and Ridhuan's mother named enforcement officers Mohd Shiham Ramli, Mohammad Izehar Md Amin, the chief enforcement officer of Jawi, the director-general of Jawi, Jawi, Prime Minister's Department and government, as defendants.

The civil suit was filed at the Kuala Lumpur High Court this morning.

Seven males and one female officer raided the hotel on Jan 8 at about 1.30am.

According to the writ of summons, the officers knocked on the door of their hotel room, and upon opening it, the officers showed their authority cards.

However, before Ridhuan could see their authority cards clearly, they barged into the room. They entered while Ridhuan told them that his wife was not properly attired and was only wearing a singlet and shorts.

Despite Ridhuan showing a screenshot of their marriage certificate, the male officers proceeded to enter the room and took pictures and video recording.

A scuffle between Ridhuan and Shiham occurred and Shiham allegedly held on to Ridhuan's neck resulting in it being bruised.

In the room, Ridhuan asked the male officers to leave the room as he showed them a screenshot of the marriage certificate as well as their marriage photos.

However, they did not leave the room and Shiham refused to accept the photos and went on to arrest Ridhuan and Siti Sarah.

The plaintiff claimed that while Ridhuan was escorted to the lobby, Shiham refused to leave the room and when Siti Sarah tried to close the door so she could wear proper attire, Shiham pushed the door open, resulting in a struggle and the woman's left arm to have bruises.

They were then brought to the Tun HS Lee police station for khalwat and later brought to the Jawi office.

Ridhuan's mother later went to Jawi to show the couple's original marriage certificate but despite this, they refused to accept it. This was despite the fact that the marriage certificate was issued by Jawi. 

The couple's marriage was solemnised on Oct 17, 2014.

As a result, Ridhuan's mother was asked to sign a personal bond for the two, to ensure that they be present at Jawi on Jan 17.

They claimed that letters of demand were sent twice to Jawi on Jan 11, and again on Jan 19 which was received by Jawi director-general to ask the agency to stop its investigation on the couple and to drop any khalwat charge.

However, according to lawyer Yusfarizal Yusoff who acted for the couple, till today there is no reply to the notice, resulting in the action.

The couple is claiming wrongful arrest, confinement, trespass, violation of privacy, tort of abuse of office and a violation of fundamental liberties.

Following this, they are seeking general damages for hurting the couple's reputation, aggravated damages and costs.

Jawi, responding to the suit, said it had complied with procedures in the raid.

"Jawi acted based on public complaints and conducted checks based on powers provided under the law and in accordance with standard operating procedures," said Jawi enforcement division chief Wan Jaapar Wan Ahmad.

He added that Jawi had yet to be served with the lawsuit.

"Jawi is prepared to cooperate with any quarters," he said in a statement today.