Priyanka Tiwari
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In a recent development in the case of missing student Sudiksha Konanki, Joshua Riibe, the 22-year-old Minnesota college student who was seen with Konanki before her disappearance, has been released by a Dominican Republic judge. Riibe, who is presumed to be the last person to see Konanki, had been held by authorities after the 20-year-old Indian-origin student went missing during a spring break trip to Punta Cana on March 6.
While the Dominican police have dismissed any involvement of Riibe in Konanki's disappearance, there is still uncertainty surrounding his return to the United States. His passport, which was confiscated last week, has yet to be returned, and no immediate decision has been made regarding his ability to leave the country.
Habeas Corpus Petition and Court Hearing
Riibe sought legal recourse through a habeas corpus petition, arguing that his rights had been violated by prosecutors, police, and the hotel where he had been staying. Riibe claimed that his freedom of movement had been restricted without any formal charges being filed against him. The petition was heard in the city of Higüey, where a Dominican court intervened to grant him freedom, but the issue of his passport's return remains unresolved.
Timeline of Events: Sudiksha Konanki's Disappearance
Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old student from the U.S., disappeared during a spring break trip in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Konanki was last seen on March 6, when she and her friends were captured on surveillance footage walking outside the Riu República hotel. The video shows Konanki and Joshua Riibe walking together, with their arms around each other, before the others returned to the hotel.
Konanki and Riibe then stayed behind and were last seen around 4:50 a.m. near the water. Loudon County Sheriff Mike Chapman stated that Riibe told authorities that a large wave had swept both of them into the ocean. Although Riibe believed Konanki had made it out of the water, he was unsure of her fate.
Konanki’s Family and Legal Status
Despite Riibe’s account, Konanki's parents have requested that authorities declare their daughter legally dead. This request has added further tension to the situation, as the investigation continues without clear answers about Konanki's disappearance.
