Indian bid to reclaim jewel in British crown

A group including an Indian businessman and a Bollywood actress are attempting to mount a legal bid to force Britain to return the Koh-i-Noor diamond from the crown jewels to India, reports said Monday.

The group have instructed lawyers to attempt to begin proceedings in England's High Court, British newspapers said, in a move timed to coincide with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Britain this week.

Modi heads to Britain on Thursday and will have lunch with Queen Elizabeth II during his trip, as well as hold talks with his British counterpart David Cameron.

Satish Jakhu, of the Rubric Lois King law firm, was quoted as saying they would claim under the common law doctrine of "trespass to goods", arguing that Britain had stolen the stone, one of the world's biggest diamonds.

They are also seeking to take the case to the International Court of Justice in The Hague, he added.

Rubric Lois King did not respond to requests to comment when contacted by AFP.

The stone is "one of the many artefacts taken from India under dubious circumstances", David de Souza, from the Indian leisure group Tito's, was quoted as saying by The Independent newspaper. He is partly funding the action.

Bollywood actress Bhumicka Singh said the stone was "part of our history and culture and should undoubtedly be returned".

Caption: The British crown

Photo:Sputnik News