Body of missing DU student found in Yamuna River, family questions CCTV camera lapse at Signature Bridge

The body of 19-year-old Sneha Debnath, a Delhi University student who had been missing for six days, was recovered from the Yamuna River near Geeta Colony flyover on Sunday evening, police said.

Sneha, originally from Tripura and living in Paryavaran Complex in south Delhi, was reported missing on July 7. Police found a handwritten note left by her, indicating she intended to jump from the Signature Bridge over the Yamuna. A case was filed at Mehrauli Police Station.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Ankit Chauhan said the investigation confirmed that a cab driver had dropped Sneha at the Signature Bridge, and her last mobile location was traced there. Eyewitnesses also reported seeing a girl on the bridge.

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“A joint search was launched with the NDRF and local police from Nigam Bodh Ghat to Noida. On Sunday evening, a woman’s body was found under the Geeta Colony flyover. Her family identified her as Sneha,” Chauhan said.

During the search, Sneha’s family and friends raised concerns about the lack of surveillance around Signature Bridge, a known suicide-prone spot. A friend claimed that none of the CCTV cameras on or near the bridge were working when Sneha was there.

“Despite Signature Bridge being a high-risk area, there isn’t a single operational CCTV camera,” she said.

Sneha was pursuing a BA in Mathematics at Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College, Delhi University.

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A family friend told PTI that Sneha hadn’t withdrawn any money for the past four months and left home on July 7 without her belongings after calling her family.

On the morning she disappeared, she called home at 5:56 am, saying she was headed to Sarai Rohilla Railway Station to meet a friend, Pitunia. When her phone became unreachable for over three hours, her family contacted Pitunia, who said she had not met Sneha.

Hoping for leads, Sneha’s loved ones launched a web dashboard urging the public to share any information about her whereabouts. One post read: “If you have any information about Sneha Debnath’s whereabouts or witnessed her on July 7 morning, please contact authorities immediately. Every minute counts.”

Her family criticised the authorities for non-functional CCTV cameras at Signature Bridge, calling it unacceptable and demanding accountability from Delhi Police and the government.

“This is not just about Sneha; it’s about the safety of every student and citizen who visits this area. We demand immediate repair of all CCTV cameras, clear jurisdiction for the bridge, a public audit of CCTV infrastructure, and transparency in the investigation,” their statement said.

They also highlighted jurisdictional confusion, noting that the bridge falls under multiple police stations, leading to poor coordination.

Sneha’s family had earlier expressed anguish over her disappearance. They described her as a bright, ambitious young woman full of life and dreams.

Sneha was the daughter of retired Subedar Major (Hon.) Lt Pritish Debnath, who is battling chronic kidney failure and undergoing dialysis.

Her mother’s last conversation with her was at 5:56 am. Later attempts to reach her went unanswered, and the family learned the cab driver had dropped Sneha at Signature Bridge, a known high-risk spot with no working cameras.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha had also urged the police to locate Sneha, noting she was originally from Sabroom in south Tripura.