New Delhi: The Supreme Court said today that the country’s judiciary cannot monitor any diplomatic efforts by the government to reclaim the famed Kohinoor diamond from Britain.
In saying this, the SC’s 3-judge bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar also dismissed two petitions on the issue, calling them “frivolous.”
The Court said it accepts the Centre’s submission that it is exploring ways to bring back the Kohinoor diamond from the United Kingdom. Disposing of a plea seeking a direction to the Centre to ensure that the diamond is brought back, the court said it cannot pass a direction with regard to auctioning of a property which is outside India.
“Diplomatic measures cannot be under any supervision and can a court in India pass any order asking any country to return something? And all the more at a time when the government in its counter affidavit says they are taking steps to bring it back,” Chief Justice J S Khehar-led bench asked lawyers for the petitioners in two PILs.
The Centres affidavit clearly says though it is not possible to make them return the diamond, but will continue to explore it. They say it is not possible but through diplomatic channels it may be possible. What kind of petitions are you filing? Khehar asked.
The Centre in its affidavit said Kohinoor diamond is Indias property but international conventions as well as the laws restrain it from making a rightful claim for its return from Britain.
