New Delhi:
The body of 19 year old Delhi University student Sneha Debnath, originally from Tripura, was recovered from the Yamuna River near the Geeta Colony flyover in north Delhi on the evening of Sunday, 13 July, Delhi Police confirmed. Sneha had been missing since 7 July, prompting a six day search operation.
Sneha, a mathematics honours student at Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College, was last seen around 5.56 am on 7 July, when she informed her family she was heading to Sarai Rohilla railway station. Shortly after, her phone went offline, and attempts to trace her proved unsuccessful; her friend later stated they had not met that morning.
When authorities examined her lodgings in south Delhi, they discovered a handwritten note in her room. The note expressed personal despair, and mentioned her intention to end her life by leaping from the Signature Bridge.
A joint recovery operation was launched on 9 July, involving divers from the Delhi Police and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). Searches spanned from the Signature Bridge to Nigam Bodh Ghat and onwards towards the Noida stretch of the Yamuna River, but no breakthrough occurred until the body was found under the Geeta Colony flyover.
Her family, who moved from Sabroom in South Tripura to Delhi seeking better prospects for education, were notified of the recovery. Officials confirmed that Sneha’s body had been formally identified and the remains were sent for post mortem. A missing person report was filed under Section 140(3) of the BNS Code on 9 July, following her disappearance.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Ankit Chauhan revealed that the suicide note stated, “she feels like a burden and it was getting unbearable to live like this” and directly mentioned the Signature Bridge as her intended exit point.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and directed the Delhi Police to conduct a thorough investigation into all circumstances surrounding the case.
Friends and acquaintances recalled that Sneha had felt distressed for several months. On the morning of 7 July, she sent messages and emails to close friends, saying “she sent a final message, then vanished,” and referencing her plan to go over the Signature Bridge.
Investigators are awaiting detailed findings from the post mortem to confirm the precise cause of death. At this stage, authorities have treated the incident as a possible suicide, but further investigations will ascertain whether any additional factors were involved.
The tragedy has shone a spotlight on the emotional stress facing young students living away from home. Mental health advocates are calling for increased support and counselling services on university campuses to help students in distress.
