Can’t order UK to return Kohinoor: Indian SC

The Indian Supreme Court yesterday said that it cannot pass an order to bring back the Kohinoor diamond which is in the possession of the United Kingdom or say that they should not auction it, reports the Hindustan Times. Dismissing off the petition by the All India Human Rights and Social Justice seeking direction for bringing back the diamond, a bench headed by Chief Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar observed this. Khehar said: “We are quite surprised how can an Indian court pass an order to bring something which is in the UK.”
The bench further said: “Can we say England should not auction some property.” The court said this as the petitioner NGO sought direction that the UK should not auction the diamond. Disposing off the petition, the bench also said that it was satisfied with the government’s response that it was making efforts to get the diamond back.
In July 2016, PM Narendra Modi had called a high-level meeting instructing his government to ensure the return of the medieval artefact, now set in a crown which is on display in the Tower of London.
In April 2016, the government had told the Supreme Court that the diamond was neither "forcibly taken nor stolen" by the British, but given as a "gift" to the East India Company by the rulers of Punjab.
Citing a 44-year-old law, the Centre said the diamond cannot be reclaimed as it was given as a gift in 1849 by the successors of Maharaja Ranjith Singh, and not stolen or forcibly taken away from India.
The government, however, reiterated its resolve to "make all possible efforts" to bring back the Kohinoor diamond from the UK in an amicable manner. Kohinoor, which means the Mountain of Light, is a large, colourless diamond that was found in South India's Golconda mines in early 14th century. The 108-carat gem is the subject of a historic ownership dispute and is claimed by at least four countries including India.

Cant order UK to return Kohinoor: Indian SC

The Indian Supreme Court yesterday said that it cannot pass an order to bring back the Kohinoor diamond which is in the possession of the United Kingdom or say that they should not auction it, reports the Hindustan Times. Dismissing off the petition by the All India Human Rights and Social Justice seeking direction for bringing back the diamond, a bench headed by Chief Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar observed this. Khehar said: We are quite surprised how can an Indian court pass an order to bring something which is in the UK. The bench further said: Can we say England should not auction some property. The court said this as the petitioner NGO sought direction that the UK should not auction the diamond. Disposing off the petition, the bench also said that it was satisfied with the governments response that it was making efforts to get the diamond back. In July 2016, PM Narendra Modi had called a high-level meeting instructing his government to ensure the return of the medieval artefact, now set in a crown which is on display in the Tower of London. In April 2016, the government had told the Supreme Court that the diamond was neither forcibly taken nor stolen by the British, but given as a gift to the East India Company by the rulers of Punjab. Citing a 44-year-old law, the Centre said the diamond cannot be reclaimed as it was given as a gift in 1849 by the successors of Maharaja Ranjith Singh, and not stolen or forcibly taken away from India. The government, however, reiterated its resolve to make all possible efforts to bring back the Kohinoor diamond from the UK in an amicable manner. Kohinoor, which means the Mountain of Light, is a large, colourless diamond that was found in South Indias Golconda mines in early 14th century. The 108-carat gem is the subject of a historic ownership dispute and is claimed by at least four countries including India.