Bollywood stars and Indian businessmen are suing Queen Elizabeth II for the return of the famous Koh-i-Noor diamond.
The 105 carat diamond is set in the crown made for the Queen Mother, which Queen Elizabeth II wore for her 1953 coronation.
UK media is reporting the group of actors and businessmen have instructed British lawyers to begin a challenge in London's High Court to force the royal family to return the diamond.
The last ruler of the Sikhs, Duleep Singh presented the diamond to Queen Victoria in July 1850.
The Independent quoted lawyer Satish Jakhu, of Birmingham-based law firm Rubric Lois King, saying they would argue the British government had stolen the diamond and would be taken to the International Court of Justice.
Historian Andrew Roberts told the Mail on Sunday: “Those involved in this ludicrous case should recognise that the British Crown Jewels is precisely the right place for the Koh-i-Noor diamond to reside, in grateful recognition for over three centuries of British involvement in India, which led to the modernisation, development, protection, agrarian advance, linguistic unification and ultimately the democratisation of the sub-continent.”
Bollywood actress Bhumika Singh, who is supporting the campaign, said the cultural significance of the diamond means it should be returned.
"Koh-i-Noor is not just a 105-carat piece of stone. It has a lot of history and culture attached to it, and undoubtedly should be returned to India," she told the Press Trust of India.
