Sneha Debnath, a 19-year-old Delhi University student from Tripura, was found dead in the Yamuna River on July 13, six days after she went missing. A second-year B.Sc. Mathematics student at Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College, Sneha was also pursuing a data science and programming course with IIT Madras and working as an intern with an Australian firm. Described by her family as an overachiever, she had relocated to Delhi with her family to pursue higher education.
On the morning of July 7, Sneha left her home in Paryavaran Complex, South Delhi, telling her mother she was going to drop a friend, Pitunia, at Sarai Rohilla Railway Station for a 6:45 am train. Her last contact with her mother was a phone call at 5:56 am.
By 8:45 am, her phone was switched off. Her family later learned that Pitunia had not met Sneha that morning, and a cab driver confirmed dropping her near the Signature Bridge in north Delhi, a location known as a suicide hotspot.
A handwritten suicide note recovered from her hostel room on July 8 revealed her intent to jump from Signature Bridge, stating, “It was my decision, fully conscious under no influence. I feel like a failure and a burden, and it was getting unbearable to live like this. Hence, I decided to end it.”
The note emphasized that no foul play was involved and that the decision was hers alone. Friends reported to police that Sneha had been emotionally disturbed in the months leading up to her disappearance, with messages sent to close friends via WhatsApp and email on July 7 hinting at personal distress.
Despite extensive search efforts by Delhi Police and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) across a 7-kilometer radius from Nigam Bodh Ghat to Noida, Sneha’s body was not found until July 13, near the Geeta Colony flyover, approximately 10 kilometers downstream from Signature Bridge.
The absence of functional CCTV cameras at and around Signature Bridge—a critical surveillance failure with over 60 cameras reported non-operational—severely hampered the investigation, drawing sharp criticism from Sneha’s family. They argued that operational cameras might have provided crucial evidence or even prevented the tragedy.
Sneha’s family, including her father, Subedar Major (Honorary Lieutenant) Pritish Debnath (retired), who is battling chronic kidney failure and undergoing dialysis, expressed frustration over the delayed response. A missing person’s complaint was filed on July 7, but an FIR under Section 140(3) (kidnapping/abduction) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita was not registered until July 9, over 48 hours later. The family’s anguish was compounded by the fact that Sneha had not withdrawn money from her bank account in recent months and left home without belongings, deepening concerns about her state of mind.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha took swift action, instructing state police to coordinate with Delhi authorities to assist in the search. On July 12, the Chief Minister’s Office issued a statement on social media emphasizing the urgency of the case. Following Sneha’s death, Saha expressed condolences and reiterated the need for a transparent investigation, highlighting the importance of student safety and emotional well-being.
Sneha’s sister, Bipasha Debnath, questioned the circumstances surrounding the suicide note, suggesting it seemed inconsistent with Sneha’s character and ambitions. She noted that Sneha could have chosen other means closer to home if she intended to end her life, raising concerns about possible external influences. However, police have found no evidence of foul play, and the investigation continues, with an autopsy pending to determine the exact cause and time of death.
Sneha’s death has sparked widespread discussion on systemic issues, including inadequate mental health support for students, particularly those living away from home, and the need for improved surveillance in high-risk public areas. Activists have called for enhanced counseling services in universities and better safety infrastructure in cities. Sneha’s LinkedIn profile described her passion for mathematics, programming, and anime, painting a picture of a driven and curious young woman whose loss has left a profound impact.
