An Indian-origin diamond businessman who was allegedly abducted in the West African nation of Mali has reportedly been released after his family paid a €4 million (around Rs 44 crore) ransom, according to sources quoted by PTI.
The businessman, identified as Dhiru Ramani, is said to have been kidnapped in April while staying in Mali, where he had recently acquired a gold mine. Following his release, he remains in the country as local authorities continue questioning him about the circumstances surrounding the alleged abduction.
Who is Dhiru Ramani?
Dhiru Ramani, 75, originally hails from Dhar village in Gujarat's Amreli district and has long-standing ties to Surat's diamond industry.
As reported by PTI, Ramani entered the diamond business around 1980 before later moving to the United States. His family is now involved in the international diamond trade, while Ramani had reportedly been spending time in Mali after investing in a gold mining venture.
How was Ramani released?
According to a Surat-based source quoted by PTI, Ramani's family negotiated directly with the kidnappers without the involvement of any Indian government agency.
The abductors had initially demanded approximately Rs 100 crore, but the family reportedly negotiated the amount down before paying €4 million to secure his release last week.
The report added that Ramani is currently in Mali, where local police are questioning him regarding the details of his release.
No Indian government involvement, says source
As cited by PTI, Ramani's US-based family managed the negotiations independently. The source said no Indian government agency participated in discussions with the kidnappers or the payment process.
Officials in Mali are continuing their inquiries into the incident before allowing Ramani to leave the country.
Indian Embassy had issued security advisory
Around the time of the alleged kidnapping in April, the Embassy of India in Bamako issued a general security advisory for Indian nationals residing in Mali.
The advisory urged Indian citizens to remain highly vigilant following reports of security incidents in Kati and other parts of the country. It advised residents to stay indoors where possible, exercise utmost caution and follow instructions issued by Malian authorities.
However, the advisory did not mention Ramani or refer to any specific kidnapping incident.
Why is Mali considered a high-risk region?
Mali has faced prolonged political instability and security challenges in recent years, with armed groups operating across several regions of the country.
Foreign nationals and businesspeople have occasionally been targeted in kidnapping incidents, prompting embassies, including India's mission in Bamako, to issue periodic security advisories urging citizens to avoid unnecessary travel and remain alert.
The latest reported case involving Dhiru Ramani has once again highlighted the security risks faced by foreign investors and expatriates living in parts of the West African nation.
