Madhya Pradesh: Shocking! 50-year-old labour digs up 42 carat diamond worth Rs 1.5 crore; says 'I can’t believe my luck'

In a surprising event, a 50-year-old labour in Madhya Pradesh's Bundelkhand dug up an around 42-carat diamond worth Rs 1.5 crore. A mineral resources department official confirmed it on Tuesday. Motilal Prajapati took a plot measuring about 25 square feet on lease on September 20.

Within a few weeks, he dug up the diamond. His plot was near Krishna Kalyanpur Patti village in the diamond mining area of Panna.

“I can’t believe my luck. For three generations — from my grandfather to myself — we have been taking land in the mining area on the lease but we never succeeded in finding a diamond earlier. With God’s grace, I have found a good value diamond. I will spend the money on education of my children, a good life for parents and other needs in life like a good house, the marriage of my brothers’ daughters.”

The diamond is estimated to weigh 42.59 carats, the second highest value in terms of a gemstone’s mass, reported HT. “According to our gem expert diamond is valued more than ₹1.5 crore and it has been deposited with the collector’s office. It will be put for auction after the state assembly elections in November. It may fetch a higher price. The amount will be given to the person who has found the diamond after deduction of tax at the rate of 11%”, said Singh.

The diamond will be auctioned after the state assembly elections, reports.