NDTV: New Delhi: Monday, May 02,
2016.
The Centre
has declined to share details of India's efforts to get back the famous
Kohinoor diamond from the UK, saying the matter was subjudice.
"A
petition has been filed in Supreme Court of India regarding retrieval of
Kohinoor diamond from London, UK. Since the matter is now subjudice, hence no
information can be provided," the Archaeological Survey of India said in
reply to an RTI query filed by news agency PTI.
An
application was filed with the External Affairs Ministry seeking details of
steps taken for return of Kohinoor along with copies of letters written to and
response received from the United Kingdom in this regard. The query was
forwarded to Culture Ministry.
The issue of
Kohinoor diamond has been in news for the last few days. In response to a
Public Interest Litigation being heard by the Supreme Court, the government had
on April 18 said the diamond estimated to cost over $200 million was neither
stolen nor "forcibly" taken by British rulers but gifted to the East
India Company by erstwhile rulers of Punjab 167 years back.
However, the
next day, it had said all efforts will be made to get it back.
Kohinoor,
which means mountain of light, is a large, colourless diamond that was found in
southern India in early 14th century. The 108-carat gem, which came into
British hands during the colonial era, is the subject of a historic ownership
dispute and has been claimed by at least four countries including India.
Earlier
responding to another RTI application, the ASI had said under the provisions of
the Antiquities and Art Treasure Act, 1972, India takes up the issue of
retrieval of only such antiquities as have been illegally exported out of the
country.
"Since
the object referred by you (Kohinoor) has been taken out of the country prior
to the Independence, the Archaeological Survey of India is not in a position to
process the matter," it had said.
To a question
seeking details of items which are in the UK's custody and India wants to claim
them back, the ASI, which functions under the Culture Ministry said:
"There is no list available with the Archaeological Survey of India about
the items in Britain's custody".
The Supreme
Court is hearing the PIL filed by All India Human Rights and 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 the UK, Pakistan and Bangladesh as parties to the case. It has also sought
return of the ring and sword of Tipu Sultan and other treasures of him besides
Bahadur Shah Zafar, the Queen of Jhansi, Nawab Mir Ahmad Ali Banda and other
rulers of India.