Indian-origin diamond businessman Dhiru Ramani freed in Mali after family pays €4 million ransom

 SURAT / BAMAKO — Dhiru Ramani, a 75-year-old Indian-origin diamond merchant abducted in West Africa nearly three months ago, has been released following a privately negotiated ransom payment of €4 million (approximately ₹44 crore) by his US-based family. His a cook and an electrician who were abducted alongside him were also set free.

The Abduction & Months of Silence

Ramani, originally from Dhar village in Gujarat’s Amreli district, built a career in Surat’s diamond industry starting around 1980 before relocating to the United States. In recent years, he expanded into the mining sector, acquiring a gold mine in Mali and living in the West African nation to oversee operations.

In late April, Ramani and two members of his operational staff were kidnapped by an armed group. For nearly two months following the abduction, the captors made no contact, leaving the family without news.

Malian authorities noted that militant and criminal networks in the region frequently delay claiming responsibility or making contact until hostage families grow desperate, using psychological leverage to maximize ransom demands.

Private Negotiations and Release

When contact was finally established, the abductors initially demanded €10 million (roughly ₹100 crore) for Ramani's safe return.

Over an intense 10-day negotiation handled directly by Ramani's US-based family—without the involvement of Indian or foreign government agencies—the ransom was negotiated down to €4 million (₹44 crore).

Before transferring the funds, the family verified Ramani’s condition via a live video call. Once proof of life was established and payment was transferred, the three hostages were released.

Current Status & Health

Following his release, Ramani was brought to the Malian capital, Bamako, where preliminary medical evaluations confirmed he was in stable health. Relatives noted that because his personal cook was detained alongside him, Ramani was provided with regular meals throughout his captivity.

Local Malian law enforcement agencies are currently questioning Ramani and his staff to gather intelligence on the captors and the circumstances surrounding their release. Once administrative clearance is granted by local authorities, Ramani is expected to join his family in the United States.

Growing Volatility in Mali

The kidnapping highlights the precarious security situation in Mali, where armed insurgent groups and criminal networks increasingly target foreign commercial interests and personnel, particularly in the mining sectors.

Around the time of Ramani’s capture in late April, the Embassy of India in Bamako had issued an urgent security advisory instructing all Indian nationals residing in Mali to maintain high vigilance, limit non-essential movement, and adhere strictly to local security protocol following a surge in regional attacks.