Lahore High Court: Petitioner asks British queen to return Koh-i-Noor diamond
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LAHORE: An attorney on Thursday announced that he has filed a petition with the Lahore High Court seeking the return of the famed Koh-i-Noor diamond which Britain forced India to hand over in colonial times.
Once the largest known diamond in the world, the 105-carat Koh-i-Noor is one of the Crown Jewels. It is set in a crown last worn by the late mother of Queen Elizabeth II during her coronation.
Attorney Jawaid Iqbal Jafree filed the court petition naming Queen Elizabeth II as a respondent. The application asks that Britain hand back the diamond, now on display in the Tower of London.
India also has made regular requests for the jewel's return, saying the diamond is an integral part of the country's history and culture.
Also read: Royal Kohinoor: Why Pakistan should enter the debate but won’t
Britain's then colonial governor-general of India arranged for the huge diamond to be presented to Queen Victoria in 1850, during British colonial rule.
Jafree said that the Koh-i-Noor rightly belonged to Punjab province and was “forcibly and under duress” taken by the British from the local ruler at the time. “Now it should be returned to Pakistan,” he said.
“Her Majesty the Queen will rise in the highest public interest with facilitating honest disposal and transferring the possession of the Koh-i-Noor diamond which was illegally taken,” Jafree said in his petition, which the court has not yet admitted for hearing.
“Koh-i-Noor was not legitimately acquired. Grabbing and snatching it was a private, illegal act which is justified by no law.”
If Kate Middleton, the wife of Prince William, who is second in line to the throne, eventually becomes queen consort, she will don the crown holding the diamond on official occasions.
In the last half century, Jafree has written over 786 letters to Queen Elizabeth and various Pakistani officials asking for the diamond's return.
His latest high court petition notes that his letters have never been acknowledged, except once by Queen Elizabeth through her principal private secretary.
During a visit to India in 2010, British Prime Minister David Cameron said in an interview on Indian television that the diamond would stay in London.
“What tends to happen with these questions is that if you say yes to one, then you would suddenly find the British Museum empty,” he said.
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Comments (49) Closed
Dec 03, 2015 07:39pm
People have too much time on theirs hands to waste. The court should not have admitted this petition.
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Dec 03, 2015 07:50pm
Well how can the petitioner say that the diamonds belongs to Pakistan...seems he is too selective in presenting the Koh-hi-noor history....
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Dec 03, 2015 07:53pm
Had a little research was done in advance from where the diamond was mined then there would have no use of this petition.
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Dec 03, 2015 07:55pm
I agree with British Prime minister on this one “What tends to happen with these questions is that if you say yes to one, then you would suddenly find the British Museum empty,” he said." Plus if India and Pakistan were not partitioned then I would definitely ask for return, but I think India has as much right on the diamond as Pakistan.
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Dec 03, 2015 07:59pm
British were thieves and stole from every nation in the world. They should examine their own conscience before lecturing others on morals and human rights.
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Dec 03, 2015 08:12pm
“What tends to happen with these questions is that if you say yes to one, then you would suddenly find the British Museum empty,” he said. INTERESTING acknowledgement...
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Dec 03, 2015 08:14pm
Koh-i-Noor diamond should be returned to Bangladesh (Mughal Prince Shah Suza connection) . . .
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Dec 03, 2015 08:39pm
Once the British decide to let go of the diamond, would be the start of the next quarrel.
Who gets it? India, Pakistan or Bangladesh?:)
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Dec 03, 2015 08:41pm
@M. Emad What about Persia? I think the diamond had a sojourn there as well?:)
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Dec 03, 2015 08:50pm
is it the same diamond which indian has claimed already ............
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Dec 03, 2015 08:51pm
Believe me it led to downfall of every king that owned it, check history. As an Indian, I would keep this panauti out
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Dec 03, 2015 08:53pm
@M. Emad as it is disputed then no one will have it ..........
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Dec 03, 2015 08:56pm
Let it be in UK.
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Dec 03, 2015 08:58pm
If returned to Pakistan it may end up in wrong hands because unfortunately we are very much rich in corruption! At least it is safe and preserved in UK which is very important for the time being!!!
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Dec 03, 2015 09:00pm
Mined in Andhra Pradesh in India and owned originally by Kakatiya dynasty and Pakistan is claiming it!
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Dec 03, 2015 09:04pm
Anyone remember what happened to jewellery gifted by Turkey PM wife to Pakistan?
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Dec 03, 2015 09:05pm
Yes finally, please bring our gems back and please make Nawaz Sharif yours as he belongs to London more.
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Dec 03, 2015 09:08pm
Why government of Lahore district or government of Pakistan haven't acted so far. Our leader have time to schedule their high level meetings in London. The money which and history which is ours should be return to us with fine on the culprits who stole it.
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Dec 03, 2015 09:08pm
People of indian subcontinent deserve to see the koohinoor. It can be circulate trough india,pakistan,Bangladesh like Olympic torch
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Dec 03, 2015 09:12pm
...and day before yesterday, Modi has demanded the queen to return this; it looks a replicative approach to get cheap publicity. Nothing else.
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Dec 03, 2015 09:28pm
Better in a London museum than in the clutches of evil politicians.
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Dec 03, 2015 09:35pm
@Rabia Salman Yes, bring it back and the obedient servants will immediately return it back to her majesty with a bundle of excuses and humility!
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Dec 03, 2015 09:35pm
The diamonds was first came from Afganistan to India... so the diamond belongs to Afganistan... ;)
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Dec 03, 2015 09:37pm
@Sr Yeah we Pakistanis know what happened with that and what we did after knowing that, but, as an indian what's your point? Dont tell me that you dont know which country ranks high in corruption and especially in Rajniti....
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Dec 03, 2015 09:51pm
@Sunil Now the Afghanistan jumps in! How easy is for the South Asia to start a fight!
Diamond is there in UK and will be there but we have got something to yell on each other!
People of South Asia share a common history. Europe has learned a lot from II World War but we may learn after many centuries!
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Dec 03, 2015 10:46pm
The Mountain of Light or Koh-i-Noor is a diamond that was mined at Vinukonda, in the present state of Andhra Pradesh in India. It was originally 793 carats when uncut. Once the largest known diamond, it is now a 105.6 metric carat diamond, weighing 21.6 grammes in its most recent cut state. The diamond was originally owned by the Kakatiya dynasty, which had installed it in a temple of a Hindu goddess as her eye.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koh-i-Noor
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Dec 03, 2015 10:53pm
Are not thieves suppose to be tried in court specially when evidence is there for everyone to see.
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Dec 03, 2015 11:01pm
The diamond was taken from Lahore to London while Mughul rule had not ended yet. So Pakistan has a legal case for its return back to its origin
The diamond never belonged to Persia.
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Dec 03, 2015 11:03pm
Rightful place for Kohinoor is golden temple in Amritsar as the diamond was in possession of last sikh ruler when it was last time in India. For all those who are saying it was in Pakistan last time, I want to say just one thing that there was no pakistan that time.
India , pakistan and afganistan should make a joint bid and agree a place of return. If we keep fighting it wont go to anyone. Thats what exactly brits want us as that gives them legitimacy to hold it was we are fighting who should get it back.
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Dec 03, 2015 11:16pm
Kohinoor belong to India and is much older than the creation of Pakistan or BD. I am appalled at the gall of Pakistan's!
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Dec 03, 2015 11:56pm
@Indian Why leave Bangladesh?
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Dec 03, 2015 11:57pm
Koh-i-Noor would be the last thing that Pakistan need at this moment. We need better governance, corruption-free society, better education for our children, industry to create jobs and last but not least our our energy sources including gas, coal, wind, solar and whatever. We need patience too.
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Dec 04, 2015 12:15am
What culture? This Petitioner should be ID'd and asked if he has done any good for his country that he makes such a demand.
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Dec 04, 2015 12:28am
Even if it belongs to Pakistan, please don't bring it back. I am pretty sure it will end up in Raiwind somehow specially in the hands of Maryam Nawaz. Just like that Necklace from turkish first lady ended up in the former Prime Minister's house hold.
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Dec 04, 2015 12:42am
Historically, 100% items at London Museum are stolen from other countries.
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Dec 04, 2015 12:43am
Kohinoor was mined at Golconda diamond mines in India, it belongs to India.
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Dec 04, 2015 02:12am
Better keep that in UK.It will get stolen in Pakistan.
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Dec 04, 2015 02:20am
The took it from Muslim rulers so Muslim side is Pakistan so it should come to Pakistan
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Dec 04, 2015 02:42am
There are now more things that West has eyes on, such as oil, gas, and seizing properties owned by monarchs, kings, and corrupt leaders. Just watch and see
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Dec 04, 2015 04:22am
yes sure. Queen is on her way to pakistan to apologise and return it to PML or PTI
... or may be give it MQM
what a joke.
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Dec 04, 2015 05:54am
it should be given to bangladesh, Pakistan, india and uk on periodic turns basis to each of them.
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Dec 04, 2015 05:59am
Where will Iqbal keep it, people like Zardari will grab it and put an artificial on in its place. It is not safe to bring it to Pakistan or India.
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Dec 04, 2015 08:30am
@Vectra Yes, please don't waste your and others time and try to do something worth doing.
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Dec 04, 2015 08:34am
@Sunil Yes, that is right but it is better placed in London for the time being.
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Dec 04, 2015 08:43am
I would appeal to HC not to accept Jafferi petition for hearing.This diamond in Pakistan could be easily replaced by Zarkoon,and nobody will care for it.Some years back an archaeological valued gate of Karachi Gandhi Garden was quietly dismantled and fixed to a bungalow of some minister,people make much hue and cry,but todate that gate not returned.The government ,the elite,are most corrupt,and poverty level is appaling state,even if your court accept this petition the Britain will not entertain your demand.
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Dec 04, 2015 08:44am
The Mountain of Light or Koh-i-Noor is a diamond that was mined at Vinukonda, in the present state of Andhra Pradesh in India. NOT in Punjab province.
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Dec 04, 2015 09:52am
Under UNESCO's Convention called UNIDROIT Convention on Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects (Rome, 1995), many Asian countries have successfully restituted cultural properties which were taken out or exported by their colonial masters under questionable circumstances. Pakistan is signatory to UNIDROIT Convention. Full text of Convention is available at:
http://www.unidroit.org/instruments/cultural-property/1995-convention
(M. R. Mughal, Professor Emeritus of Archaeology, Boston University)
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Dec 04, 2015 09:28pm
@M. Emad - Shah Shuja was not a Mughal prince, he was an Afghan Sadozai , and he lost the Koh i Nur to Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Neither had any real claim on it.
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Dec 04, 2015 09:29pm
@Sunil - The Diamond was mined in India, for your kind information.
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