Centre To SC: Kohinoor Wasn't Stolen But Gifted To The British

New Delhi: On Monday, the central government told the Supreme Court that the Kohinoor diamond was not stolen but gifted to the British by Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

A petition has been filed by All India Human Rights and Social Justice Front seeking the return of Kohinoor and other antiques including the sword and return of Tipu Sultan to India by the United Kingdom. When the court asked the centre its take on the PIL, the centre said that the diamond was gifted to the British.

The PIL also sought the return of other treasures of great rulers of India - Tipu Sultan, Bahadur Shah Zafar, Rani of Jhansi, Nawab Mir Ahmad Ali Banda. It also made the Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Culture, High Commissioners of UK, Pakistan and Bangladesh as parties in the case.