The Indian government has that Kohinoor diamond was neither stolen, nor forcibly taken by the British. India's solicitor general told the highest court of the country that the 105 carat diamond was gifted to the British East India Company by the rulers of Punjab.
Solicitor Genera, Ranjit Kumar told the supreme court bench hearing a public interest litigation seeking the return of the diamond that India should not stake claim to the Kohinoor, otherwise other countries may start pressing India for the return of their items.
"Kohinoor cannot be said to be forcibly taken or stolen as it was given by the successor of Maharaja Ranjit Singh to East India Company in 1849 as a compensation for helping them in the Sikh wars," Kumar told the court.
Kohinoor cannot be said to be forcibly taken or stolen as it was given by the successor of Maharaja Ranjit Singh to East India Company in 1849 as a compensation for helping them in the Sikh wars
"If we claim our treasures like Kohinoor from other countries, every other nation will start claiming their items from us. There will be nothing left in our museums," he added further.
After hearing the government's plea, the court refused to dismiss the petition and gave time to the government to formulate a reply within six weeks.
This is BJP govt's another U-turn #Kohinoor— Dr Ajoy Kumar (@drajoykumar) April 18, 2016
“Kohinoor cannot be said to be forcibly taken or stolen as it was given by the successors of Maharaja Ranjit Singh to East India Company in 1849 as compensation for helping them in the Sikh wars,” - See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/kohinoor-was-not-stolen-it-was-gifted-to-britain-govt-to-sc/#sthash.KA9nCKzg.dpuf
“Kohinoor cannot be said to be forcibly taken or stolen as it was given by the successors of Maharaja Ranjit Singh to East India Company in 1849 as compensation for helping them in the Sikh wars,” - See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/kohinoor-was-not-stolen-it-was-gifted-to-britain-govt-to-sc/#sthash.KA9nCKzg.dpuf
