Indian-origin diamond merchant Dhiru Ramani has finally regained his freedom after being held captive for roughly three months in the West African nation of Mali. A source with knowledge of the matter confirmed on Sunday that the 75-year-old businessman has been released by his abductors, though he remains in Mali as local authorities continue their investigation and debriefing.
The Multi-Crore Ransom Deal
According to industry sources, Dhiru Ramani's family secured his freedom earlier this week by paying a hefty ransom of 40 million euros, which translates to approximately 44 crore rupees. The abductors had initially demanded a staggering 100 crore rupees, but the businessman's family members living in the United States successfully negotiated with the kidnappers to lower the amount before finalizing his release.
Local Authorities Conduct Debriefing in Mali
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the source noted that Dhiru Ramani, who hails from Gujarat's Amreli district and has deep ties to the Surat diamond industry, is currently undergoing questioning by local police and authorities in Mali regarding the circumstances of his abduction and subsequent freedom. He had recently acquired a gold mine in the country and had been residing there for business purposes when he was targeted roughly three months ago.
Independent Family Negotiations Without Government Intervention
The source further clarified that no Indian government agency played a role in the entire rescue or negotiation process. The entire ordeal was handled independently by Ramani's family based in the US, who directly communicated with the captors to navigate the crisis.
A Longstanding Career in the Diamond Trade
Dhiru Ramani traces his roots back to Dhar village in Gujarat's Amreli district and has been active in the diamond trade since around 1980. He later migrated to the US, where his family operates an international diamond business. His recent ventures had taken him to Mali to invest in a gold mining project, leading up to the kidnapping incident.
