India shouldn't claim Kohinoor diamond, it was gifted to British by Maharaja Ranjit Singh- Centre to Supreme Court

In  a statement likely to create controversy, Central govt told the Supreme Court on Monday that India shouldn't claim the famous Kohinoor diamond from the British. 

According to the Solicitor General, as per Culture ministry's view ,India should not claim 'Kohinoor' as it was neither stolen nor forcibly taken away. He said that Kohinoor' was handed over by Maharaja Ranjit Singh to the East India Company. Solicitor General said that it is the view of the Culture Ministry. MEA is also party to the PIL filed in this case and they are yet to reply. The SC bench asked whether the government wants the PIL to be dismissed or not warning that it would be difficult to stake claims in the future. 

SC has given Centre six week to file a detailed report.  The Culture Minister's reply came as the SC asked govt to clarify stance on a PIL seeking returning of Kohinoor. It has been filed by  All India Human Rights & Social Justice Front seeking directions to the High Commissioner of United Kingdom for 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 has 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