Indian group launches bid to reclaim Koh-i-Noor

Ahead of Prime minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United Kingdom, a group of Indians have started an attempt to file a lawsuit to force Britain to return the Koh-i-Noor diamond from crown jewels to India.

According to AFP, the group has instructed lawyers to begin legal process in England's High Court. The reports quote Satish Jakhu of Rubric Lois King law firm that the group make the claim under the common law doctrine of "trespass to goods", arguing that Britain had stolen the stone. Apart from England's High Court, the group is also taking the matter to International Court of Justice in Hague.

The group claims that the diamond and many other artifacts were taken under dubious circumstances. Therefore, this part of India's history and culture should undoubtedly be returned. They say that the crown jewels are not Queen Elizabeth II's property. She holds them as the sovereign head of state. Because of this the Queen will have to act on the advice provided by the British government.

Time and again the British Government has rubbished the possibility of returning the jewels. UK PM David Cameron in an interview with NDTV in 2010 had said, "If you say yes to one you suddenly find the British Museum would be empty. It is going to have to stay put."

On a visit to India, he said, "I certainly don't believe in 'returnism'."