We shouldn’t seek Kohinoor, Centre tells Supreme Court
NEW DELHI: The Kohinoor was neither stolen nor forcibly taken by the British, the government told the Supreme Court on Monday, adding that India should not reclaim the famous diamond that adorns the crown of the British Queen.
The apex court, however, refused to dismiss an NGO’s petition seeking return of the treasure, saying it will prevent India from making “a legitimate claim” over the prized diamond sought by at least four countries.
The 105-carat Kohinoor — which means Mountain of Light in Persian — is believed to have been mined in present-day Andhra Pradesh in the 13th century and passed several hands before ending up with the British during their occupation of India.
Solicitor general Ranjit Kumar told a bench headed by Chief Justice of India TS Thakur that Sikh king Duleep Singh presented the Kohinoor to Queen Victoria in 1850, a year after the British annexed Punjab.
“It has not been categorised as an object stolen but gifted as compensation. If we lay claim to the gem then tomorrow other countries will start demanding the treasure we have,” Kumar said.
But the court was not convinced with the argument.
“We’ve never colonised others,” the court said.
“If we dismiss this petition it will be read against the government. Tomorrow everybody will say that the Indian Supreme Court has held the gem cannot be brought back,” the bench added. The court gave six weeks to the Centre to clear its stand on the issue.
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