Sudiksha Konanki disappearance: Dominica resort slammed for property sale ads

Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old Indian-American student, reportedly disappeared from the Riu República Hotel's beach over a week ago

Published on: Mar 13, 2025, 21:03:21 IST

By HT News Desk

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Riu Hotels & Resorts in the Dominican Republic tourist town of Punta Cana is drawing flak for its TikTok advertisement promoting a flash sale of its property, The Daily Mail reported.

Sudiksha Konanki's family suspects she may have been kidnapped. (HT File)

The move comes as the FBI is searching for Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old Indian-American student who reportedly disappeared from the Riu República Hotel's beach over a week ago. She was last seen on March 6, walking towards the beach.

Also read | Sudiksha Konanki missing in Dominican Republic: A timeline of her known hours

Netizens asked the Riu Hotels & Resorts to help authorities find the student rather than looking for ways to sell off the property.

The advertisement offered slashed prices across the company's portfolio of properties, including the Riu República Hotel, which the Dominican authorities are investigating.

A double room at the five-star resort can be rented for just $88 per night, the report said. The advertisements promoted the properties at rates starting at $95, including a 10% discount.

One of the resort's advertisements read, “From 95 USD! Don't miss out on the exclusive RIU Week deals!”

The property has been drawing flak for lacking electricity and water for days before the young girl's disappearance. The hotel had said in a statement that Konanki’s disappearance coincided with a power outage that prompted multiple guests to head to the beach.

Also read | FBI joins search for Indian who vanished in Dominican Republic on spring break

Social media responds

Commenting on the post, a user wrote, “Focus on the lost American Indian student from RIU Punta Cana first.”

A person handling the hotel company's TikTok account seemed to share the public sentiment. He replied with a heart emoji to a comment from a user who replied, “Lol, please.”

The company did not respond to The Daily Mail's request to comment on its TikTok flash sale.

According to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, Konkani is a US permanent resident from Chantilly, Virginia. Her parents, Subbarayudu and Sreedevi, flew to Punta Cana after she was reported missing and have asked authorities to widen their search and investigation. The family said she and five other female university students travelled to the Dominican Republic on March 3.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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