Indian-Origin Diamond Merchant Released in Mali After Family Pays Rs 44 Crore Ransom

A 75-year-old Indian-origin diamond merchant, who was kidnapped in Mali in April, has been released after his family paid a ransom of 4 million euros, equivalent to nearly Rs 44 crore. Dhiru Ramani was freed last week in the West African nation following negotiations conducted by his family.

Ramani, who originally hails from Dhar village in Gujarat’s Amreli district, has been associated with the diamond trade since around 1980. He later relocated to the United States, where his family operates an international diamond trading business. Ramani was abducted shortly after purchasing a gold mine in Mali, where he had been residing for some time.

Ransom Negotiations and Release

According to reports, the abductors initially demanded a ransom of approximately Rs 100 crore for Ramani's release. His family, based in the United States, managed the negotiations independently without the involvement of any Indian government agency. They successfully negotiated the ransom amount down to 4 million euros before securing his freedom.

Following his release, Ramani remains in Mali, where local law enforcement authorities are currently questioning him. A source stated that local police are gathering details from Ramani regarding his release and the circumstances surrounding his abduction.

Embassy Security Advisory

Around the time of Ramani's abduction in April, the Indian Embassy in Mali's capital, Bamako, had issued a general security advisory for Indian nationals residing in the country. The advisory, dated April 25, urged Indian citizens to remain vigilant, stay indoors, and follow instructions from Malian authorities due to recent security developments and reported attacks in Kati and other regions of Mali.

The embassy's advisory did not make reference to any specific individual or incident. Ramani, who has long-standing ties to the diamond industry in Surat, continues to assist local Malian authorities with their ongoing inquiries.