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Pakistan lawyer files for return of Koh-i-Noor diamond | Pakistan lawyer files for return of Koh-i-Noor diamond |
(34 minutes later) | |
A petition demanding the return of the Koh-i-Noor diamond, one of the British Royal Family's Crown Jewels, has been filed in a Pakistan court, reports say. | A petition demanding the return of the Koh-i-Noor diamond, one of the British Royal Family's Crown Jewels, has been filed in a Pakistan court, reports say. |
The 105-carat diamond fell into British hands in 1849 when the East India Company annexed the region of Punjab. | |
The lawyer behind the suit told Reuters the gem was part of Punjab's heritage. During Independence in 1947 Punjab was split between India and the new nation of Pakistan. | |
The court has yet to admit the case. | |
Last month an Indian pressure group reportedly instructed lawyers to begin legal proceedings in the High Court in London to demand the return of the jewel. | Last month an Indian pressure group reportedly instructed lawyers to begin legal proceedings in the High Court in London to demand the return of the jewel. |
Over the years politicians in India have urged the return of the diamond to what they see as its rightful home. | Over the years politicians in India have urged the return of the diamond to what they see as its rightful home. |
In 2010 David Cameron rejected calls for the diamond to be returned to India, saying such a move would set an unworkable precedent. | In 2010 David Cameron rejected calls for the diamond to be returned to India, saying such a move would set an unworkable precedent. |
It was worn by the late Queen Mother and was displayed on top of her crown when her coffin lay in state after her death in 2002. | It was worn by the late Queen Mother and was displayed on top of her crown when her coffin lay in state after her death in 2002. |
Experts say its ownership has changed many times and includes Mughal princes, Persian warriors, Afghan rulers and Punjabi Maharajas. | Experts say its ownership has changed many times and includes Mughal princes, Persian warriors, Afghan rulers and Punjabi Maharajas. |
The court petition, lodged in Lahore by Javed Iqbal Jaffry, names Queen Elizabeth II as a respondent. | |
"Grabbing and snatching it was a private, illegal act which is justified by no law," he told Reuters. | "Grabbing and snatching it was a private, illegal act which is justified by no law," he told Reuters. |
He is quoted as saying that he has written 786 letters to the Queen and Pakistani officials about it. |