Seven labourers in Madhya Pradesh’s Panna district have struck fortune after discovering a 17.96-carat diamond. Officials have estimated that the stone could fetch at least Rs 50 lakh at a government auction scheduled for October. The diamond was found in a mine in Sarokha village that had been jointly leased by the seven men two years ago. The stone has been classified as “gem quality,” making it one of the finer varieties of natural diamonds found in the region.Ravi Patel, an official with the Panna diamond office, described the stone as “precious” and said it would be put up for auction in the first half of October, when buyers from India and abroad are expected to participate.The discovery is unusual because the labourers themselves hold the lease for the mining plot. In many cases, workers in Panna’s diamond mines are employed by lease-holders and do not receive the proceeds from major finds. In this case, after the government deducts a 12 per cent royalty, the remaining amount will be divided equally among the seven men.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/air-india-pilot-fell-asleep-during-phuket-delhi-flight-here-s-what-we-know-1786593726749">Air India pilot who consumed marijuana fell asleep during Phuket-Delhi flight? Here’s what we know</a>One of the lease-holders, Akhilesh Pal, said the group had almost given up on the mine after failing to find diamonds for nearly two years.“We had been mining there for about two years,” he said, “but we had no luck, so we closed the mine for a year. We had started another mine right next to it.”He said the diamond was found when they returned to inspect the abandoned pit after recent heavy rains.“When we went there to inspect the new one, we also looked inside the old mine, and that’s where we found it - right on top,” Pal said.Panna, which holds most of India’s diamond reserves, has long attracted fortune seekers despite widespread poverty, unemployment and water scarcity. According to reports, three of the labourers said that they had been unable to marry because of financial hardship. The diamond discovery could now dramatically alter their circumstances.

Seven labourers in Madhya Pradesh’s Panna district found a 17.96-carat gem-quality diamond worth at least Rs 50 lakh in a jointly leased mine. The stone will be auctioned in October.

Seven labourers in Madhya Pradesh’s Panna district have struck fortune after discovering a 17.96-carat diamond. Officials have estimated that the stone could fetch at least Rs 50 lakh at a government auction scheduled for October. The diamond was found in a mine in Sarokha village that had been jointly leased by the seven men two years ago. The stone has been classified as “gem quality,” making it one of the finer varieties of natural diamonds found in the region. Ravi Patel, an official with the Panna diamond office, described the stone as “precious” and said it would be put up for auction in the first half of October, when buyers from India and abroad are expected to participate. The discovery is unusual because the labourers themselves hold the lease for the mining plot. In many cases, workers in Panna’s diamond mines are employed by lease-holders and do not receive the proceeds from major finds. In this case, after the government deducts a 12 per cent royalty, the remaining amount will be divided equally among the seven men. Also read | Air India pilot who consumed marijuana fell asleep during Phuket-Delhi flight? Here’s what we know One of the lease-holders, Akhilesh Pal, said the group had almost given up on the mine after failing to find diamonds for nearly two years. “We had been mining there for about two years,” he said, “but we had no luck, so we closed the mine for a year. We had started another mine right next to it.” He said the diamond was found when they returned to inspect the abandoned pit after recent heavy rains. “When we went there to inspect the new one, we also looked inside the old mine, and that’s where we found it - right on top,” Pal said. Panna, which holds most of India’s diamond reserves, has long attracted fortune seekers despite widespread poverty, unemployment and water scarcity. According to reports, three of the labourers said that they had been unable to marry because of financial hardship. The diamond discovery could now dramatically alter their circumstances.

Seven labourers in Madhya Pradesh’s Panna district found a 17.96-carat gem-quality diamond worth at least Rs 50 lakh in a jointly leased mine. The stone will be auctioned in October.

Seven labourers strike it rich after finding diamond worth Rs 50 lakh in Madhya Pradesh’s Panna

Two young men found a diamond worth over Rs 50 lakh in a small pit on a 40-gaj plot leased for Rs 200 just 20 days ago in the Panna district of Madhya Pradesh. They discovered a 15.34-carat diamond in their small mining plot after they began work. In response to the finding, officials confirmed that the rare stone, marked as “jam quality”, was dug out from the Krishna Kalyanpur belt, and it is likely to fetch a price of over Rs 50 lakh in the auction.&nbsp;According to a report in the ET, the diamond was found by 24-year-old Satish Khatik and 23-year-old Sajid Mohammad, both from the Rani Ganj locality. As per the Panna diamond officer, Satish had taken a 6 x 6 metre diamond pit on lease in Krishna Kalyanpur in the Patti area by paying a deposit of Rs 200.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Duo in India&#39;s Madhya Pradesh unearth 15.34 carat diamond worth over Rs 50 lakh. How did they make the discovery? <a href="https://twitter.com/BislaDiksha?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BislaDiksha</a> has more. <a href="https://t.co/TDNg8YfGwk">pic.twitter.com/TDNg8YfGwk</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/1999052500805226748?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The duo had secured the lease just three weeks earlier to support their families and raise money for their sisters’ weddings. Satish runs a small shop, while Sajid sells fruits. Although Sajid’s father and grandfather spent years working in the local mines, they never came across a high-value gem. Hoping for a change in fortune, the friends decided to try their luck.&nbsp;While digging in the shallow pit, they unearthed a sparkling 15.34-carat diamond, which they immediately submitted to the district diamond office. Officials inspected the stone and classified it as one of the finest finds.<h3>Officials say diamond may go for more than Rs 50 lakh&nbsp;</h3>Diamond officer Ravi Patel confirmed that its weight, clarity and brilliance place it among the top-grade stones discovered in 2025. Expert Anupam Singh also described it as the highest-quality diamond recovered from Panna this year.&nbsp;Officials indicated that the value of the diamond may go for more than Rs 50 lakh once it enters the auction. The amount after selling the diamond will be divided equally between the friends. Speaking to the news agency IANS, he said, “I discovered the diamond yesterday, which is 15.34 carats in weight. I will soon place it in the district auction office.”

The diamond was found by 24-year-old Satish Khatik and 23-year-old Sajid Mohammad, both from the Rani Ganj locality. As per the Panna diamond officer, Satish had taken a 6 x 6 metre diamond pit on lease in Krishna Kalyanpur in the Patti area by paying a deposit of Rs 200.

Two young men found a diamond worth over Rs 50 lakh in a small pit on a 40-gaj plot leased for Rs 200 just 20 days ago in the Panna district of Madhya Pradesh. They discovered a 15.34-carat diamond in their small mining plot after they began work. In response to the finding, officials confirmed that the rare stone, marked as “jam quality”, was dug out from the Krishna Kalyanpur belt, and it is likely to fetch a price of over Rs 50 lakh in the auction. According to a report in the ET, the diamond was found by 24-year-old Satish Khatik and 23-year-old Sajid Mohammad, both from the Rani Ganj locality. As per the Panna diamond officer, Satish had taken a 6 x 6 metre diamond pit on lease in Krishna Kalyanpur in the Patti area by paying a deposit of Rs 200.

The diamond was found by 24-year-old Satish Khatik and 23-year-old Sajid Mohammad, both from the Rani Ganj locality. As per the Panna diamond officer, Satish had taken a 6 x 6 metre diamond pit on lease in Krishna Kalyanpur in the Patti area by paying a deposit of Rs 200.

WATCH | Two friends in Madhya Pradesh find Rs 50 lakh diamond on plot leased for Rs 200

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Seven labourers strike it rich after finding diamond worth Rs 50 lakh in Madhya Pradesh’s Panna

Two friends in Madhya Pradesh find Rs 50 lakh diamond on plot leased for Rs 200