Govt does a U-turn, says will make all efforts to bring back Kohinoor diamond in amicable manner

In an apparent U-turn, the government said on Tuesday that its resolve is to make all possible efforts to bring back Kohinoor diamond from UK.

Delhi: In an apparent U-turn, the government said on Tuesday that its resolve is to make all possible efforts to bring back Kohinoor diamond from United Kingdom.

"Government of India further reiterates its resolve to make all possible efforts to bring back Kohinoor diamond in an amicable manner," GoI spokesperson Frank Noronha said.

"The factual position is that the matter is sub judice at present. PIL has been filed in SC that is yet to be admitted," he added, as per ANI.

Noronha further said, "​The Solicitor General of India was asked to seek the views of Government of India, which have not yet been conveyed."

Yesterday, the government had told the Supreme Court, which wanted legal remedies to be kept open to get it back, that the 108-carat unique Kohinoor diamond estimated to cost over USD 200 million was neither stolen nor "forcibly" taken by British rulers but given to East India Company by erstwhile rulers of Punjab 167 years back.

"Kohinoor cannot said to be forcibly taken or stolen as it was given by the successors of Maharaja Ranjit Singh to East India Company in 1849 as compensation for helping them in the Sikh wars," Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar had told a bench headed by Chief Justice TS Thakur, as per PTI.

On his part, Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma had ruled out any action by his ministry to bring back the Kohinoor.

He had told reporters that if any call on the matter needs to be taken, it will be at the diplomatic level.

The apex court had then asked whether the government was willing to stake a claim to the Kohinoor, one of the most valuable diamonds in the world.

The Solicitor General told the apex court that the demand to get back Kohinoor have been raised time and again in Parliament.

"If we claim our treasures like Kohinoor from other countries, every other nation will start claiming their items from us. There will be nothing left in our museums," Solicitor General had said.

He had said this was the stand of Ministry of Culture while the response from Ministry of External Affairs, which is also a party, is awaited.

Hearing a PIL seeking return of Kohinoor diamond to India from Britain, the bench, also comprising Justice UU Lalit, had then asked the Solicitor General to file a detailed reply within six weeks.

"We would like to know if there is a claim the government wants to make? See, we are not inclined to dismiss this plea. If we dismiss it, that country (United Kingdom) may say that your Supreme Court has rejected the plea and it may lead to denial of the government's legitimate claim. You cannot afford dismissal as it may be treated as an obstruction in your way. You formulate a response and file it in six weeks," the bench had observed.

Kohinoor, which means Mountain of Light, is a large, colourless diamond that was found in Southern India in early 14th century.

The 108-carat Kohinoor gem, which came into British hands during the colonial era, is the subject of a historic ownership dispute and claimed by at least four countries including India.

The PIL filed by All India Human Rights and Social Justice Front sought directions to the Indian High Commissioner in United Kingdom for the return of the diamond, besides several other treasures.

The PIL has made Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Culture, High Commissioners of UK, Pakistan and Bangladesh as parties in the case.

It had also sought return of the "ring and talwar of Tipu Sultan and other treasures of Tipu Sultan, Bahadur Shah Zafar, Rani of Jhansi, Nawab Mir Ahmad Ali Banda and other rulers of India."

(With Agency inputs)