Kohinoor diamond was gifted not stolen: Center to SC

It was a huge jolt to the movement of bringing back the Kohinoor diamond to India, the Central government today clarified to the Supreme Court that the gem was not stolen by the British, it was gifted by Maharaja Ranjit Singh to the British Empire.

The NDA government gave its reply to a PIL asking its stand on the diamond. The reply is opposite to the stand taken by the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS).

The top court was hearing a PIL filed by All India Human Rights & Social Justice Front seeking directions to the High Commissioner of United Kingdom for return of the Kohinoor besides several other treasures that were looted during British Empire.

The PIL 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.