Indian Origin Diamond Merchant Freed in Mali After Family Pays ₹44 Crore Ransom

Indian origin diamond merchant Dhiru Ramani, who was allegedly kidnapped in the West African nation of Mali nearly three months ago, has been released after his family reportedly paid a ₹44 crore (€4 million) ransom following weeks of negotiations. The 75 year old businessman, originally from Gujarat and associated with Surat's diamond industry, remains in Mali, where authorities are questioning him before permitting his departure. Reports of the ransom payment are based on sources familiar with the negotiations and have not been officially confirmed by the Indian or Malian governments.

Ramani, a native of Dhar village in Gujarat's Amreli district, has been associated with the diamond trade since around 1980. He later moved to the United States, where his family expanded its international diamond business, including lab grown diamonds and jewellery. In recent years, he diversified into the mining sector by investing in a gold mine in Mali, where he had been living to oversee operations when he was allegedly abducted in April.

According to sources, the kidnappers initially demanded around ₹100 crore (about €10 million) for his release. However, his US based family negotiated the demand down to ₹44 crore (€4 million) before securing his freedom last week. The negotiations were reportedly handled entirely by the family without the involvement of any Indian government agency.

One detail reported by multiple media outlets is that the abductors allegedly made no contact with the family for nearly two months after the kidnapping. Once communication was established, the family insisted on a video call with Ramani to verify he was alive before agreeing to negotiate. The discussions reportedly intensified during the final days before a deal was reached.

Earlier reports also claimed Ramani was abducted along with two other Indian nationals, identified as his cook and an electrician. According to family members quoted by local media, all three have now been released. Ramani reportedly underwent a medical examination after his release and was found to be in stable condition.

Following his release, Ramani was taken to Bamako, Mali's capital, where he is being questioned by local police about the circumstances of his captivity and release. He is expected to travel to the United States, where his family lives, after completing legal formalities, although no timeline has been officially announced.

The identity of the kidnappers remains unknown. Earlier reports suggested the abductors may have links to an Al Qaeda affiliated extremist group, but neither Malian authorities nor the Government of India has confirmed those claims. No arrests have been announced, and investigations into the kidnapping are continuing.

The abduction took place amid worsening security conditions in Mali, where armed Islamist groups and criminal gangs have increasingly targeted foreign nationals, aid workers and mining executives for ransom. Around the time of Ramani's kidnapping, the Indian Embassy in Bamako issued a security advisory urging Indian nationals to remain highly vigilant following attacks in Kati and other parts of the country. Although the advisory did not refer to Ramani or any specific incident, it advised Indians to stay indoors where possible and strictly follow instructions issued by Malian authorities.