Abduction and Release of Dhiru Ramani
An Indian-origin diamond businessman, Dhiru Ramani, who was kidnapped in Mali in April 2026, has been released after nearly three months in captivity. According to an industry source familiar with the developments, the 75-year-old merchant's family paid a ransom of 4 million euros (approximately Rs 44 crore) to secure his freedom earlier this week.
Ramani was abducted while in Mali, where he had recently acquired a gold mine and had been living for some time. The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the abductors initially demanded around Rs 100 crore, but the family, residing in the United States, negotiated the amount down before securing his release.
Ongoing Investigation and Questioning
Despite being freed, Ramani remains in Mali. Local authorities are questioning him about the circumstances of his release and the abduction itself. "He has been released, but he is still in Mali. The local police are questioning him about his release and the circumstances surrounding it," the source said.
The source further alleged that Ramani's family handled the negotiations independently, without involvement from any Indian government agency. The Indian Embassy in Bamako had issued a general security advisory in April, urging Indian nationals in Mali to exercise caution due to security developments, but the advisory did not mention any specific incident or individual.
Background of the Victim
Dhiru Ramani hails from Dhar village in Gujarat's Amreli district and has been associated with the diamond trade in Surat since around 1980. He later moved to the United States, where his family is involved in the international diamond business. The kidnapping occurred in April, and the family worked tirelessly to negotiate the ransom.
This incident highlights the security risks faced by Indian businessmen operating in volatile regions. Mali has experienced increased security challenges, including attacks and kidnappings, prompting advisories from foreign embassies.
