A daily labourer from Madhya Pradesh's Bundelkhand region dug out a fortune from a mine recently. 50-year-old Motilal Prajapati from Panna stumbled upon a diamond that values between Rs 1.5 crore and Rs 2.5 crore in Sarkoha village. The 42.59-carat diamond is said to be the second biggest gem found in the Panna mines that are known for its stones. Panna's biggest diamond till date was found in 1961. Diamond officer Santosh Singh said that it was 44.5-carat diamond.

Motilal along with four partners had taken the mine on lease about a month from where he found the stone. The mine is located in Krishna Kalyanpur village near the district headquarters. Anupam Singh, the Valuer at the Office of Panna's Diamond Officer was quoted as on Wednesday, "Prajapati reached the Diamond Officer's office this afternoon to deposit the gem. This 42.59-carat diamond is yet to be valued." Nirav Modi's Fraud Breaks Engagement of Canadian Couple, Diamond Merchant Sold Fake Rings!

Singh said that the raw diamond would be auctioned in January 2019 and proceeds would be given to Motilal. Government royalty and taxes would be deducted from the amount. He said that the money would be also used for providing a better future for his children.

In September, similarly, a farmer discovered 12.58-carat diamond with an estimated value of Rs 30 lakh in the same Panna mines of Madhya Pradesh. The diamond was found in a field leased by farmer Prakash Kumar Sharma. The district is estimated to have reserves of 12 lakh carats of diamond. Panna is popular for changing the fortune of poor people.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 11, 2018 03:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).