Digital News Guru New Delhi Desk:
The Disappearance of Sneha Debnath: A 19‑Year‑Old DU Student Missing Since July 7
Sneha, a 19‑year‑old student of Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College (Delhi University) from Tripura, has been missing since the early hours of July 7, 2025. She informed her mother around 5:56 am that she would accompany a friend to Sarai Rohilla station—but the friend never met her.
A Normal Morning Turns Alarming
On the early morning of July 7, Sneha, a second-year undergraduate at Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College and resident of the Paryavaran Complex in south Delhi, called her mother at 5:56 am. She said she was accompanying her friend Pitunia to Sarai Rohilla railway station for a 6:45 am train. But by 8:45 am, her phone was switched off, sparking growing concern. Although the friend later reported never meeting her, a cab driver confirmed he dropped Sneha—not at the station, but at the Signature Bridge area.
A Blinding CCTV Blind Spot
The Signature Bridge, which spans the Yamuna River and connects North and Northeast Delhi, has a grim reputation as a hotspot for suicides. More alarmingly, investigators later discovered that none of the CCTV cameras on or near the bridge were functional at the time of her disappearance, including some installed by multiple local police jurisdictions. Instead, only an automated speed-photo camera was operational—a technology that captures still images of vehicles, not continuous footage of pedestrians.
The Handwritten Note
Sneha’s family disclosed finding a short, handwritten note, reportedly penned by her, stating that she felt like “a failure and burden” and had decided to “end my life by jumping from Signature Bridge.” The note also included the assertion that there was “no foul play” and the decision was entirely hers.
A handwritten note in which Sneha wrote:
“I just feel like a failure and burden and it was getting unbearable to live like this. I had decided to end my life by jumping from Signature Bridge,”
and stated “no foul play.”
The message was only a few lines long—a brevity that alarmed her sister, Bipasha, who questioned why Sneha would choose a place with no working cameras and why the note lacked context or emotional depth. Bipasha observed:
“A suicide letter can’t be of four lines… If she really wanted to die, lots of ways to do it at home or nearby… Someone could have manipulated her. She is 19.”
Family’s Frustrations and Police Response
Sneha’s family has voiced growing frustration over what they perceive as a slow and half-hearted police response. They say the First Information Report (FIR) was filed at Mehrauli Police Station more than 48 hours after Sneha went missing. They also allege that authorities were sluggish in retrieving digital evidence—emails, MacBook data, mobile-call logs—even though they handed over her laptop promptly. Bipasha stated:
“You check the MacBook… You have the cyber unit… Are you even coordinating? I feel like we are doing more work.”
The family also noted Sneha left no luggage behind and had not withdrawn any cash for four months, leaving her financial trail untouched.
Search Operations: From Bridge to River
In response, a Massive search operation involving the Delhi Police’s Crime Branch and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was launched on July 9, spanning a radius of 7 km around the bridge area. Teams have since been combing the Yamuna’s riverbanks—from Nigam Bodh Ghat to Noida. Delhi Police also deployed technical surveillance to track her mobile phone, which last pinged near the Signature Bridge—further supporting eyewitness accounts that placed her there.
Despite these efforts, no physical trace or body has been recovered to date.
Tripura Government Steps In
Her disappearance also attracted the attention of Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, who issued directives to state police to support Delhi’s investigative agencies. The Tripura Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) confirmed the matter on social media, stating instructions were issued to ensure prompt action.
Questions That Demand Answers
- The note’s brevity raises doubts. Where are the diary entries, messages, or indications of suicidal ideation?
- Why choose a surveillance blind spot—an unsafe and camera-less bridge—and then write a short apology note?
- Why didn’t she reach the station or call her friend again?
- Was there someone else influencing her, intentionally or accidentally?
Voices in the Case
- Bipasha Debnath, Sneha’s older sister, painted a picture of a brilliant and happy student:
“She was very young… someone may have manipulated her… You don’t have to go to a place where 60 cameras are not working.”
- Their mother, Pinki Debnath, fiercely rejected any suggestion of depression, remembering Sneha as lively and loving:
“She used to joke with me all day… My daughter should be found from anywhere. I just want my daughter.”
What Happens Next?
- Expanded digital forensic efforts—unlocking her laptop, tracing her digital footprints, reviewing messages and transaction records.
- Riverbed scrutiny and CCTV checks—although cameras were reportedly down, data from surrounding areas or speed-photo systems might offer clues.
- Witness re-interviews—especially the cab driver and any passersby seen around 6 am on July 7.
- Coordination across states—Delhi and Tripura police must synchronize timelines, evidence, and investigative leads.
A Public Appeal
Sneha’s family and police officials are urging anyone with even minor information—strange sightings, unusual messages, or suspicious activity near Signature Bridge—to come forward. Rumors suggest someone reported seeing a girl there that morning, but no certainty exists. The hope is that a small lead could rekindle the investigation and unveil the truth behind Sneha’s disappearance.
Why This Case Matters
Beyond its tragic circumstances, Sneha’s case highlights systemic gaps in urban surveillance, fragmented police coordination across jurisdictions, and the distress of families left chasing answers. When a promising young student vanishes from a city like Delhi, it demands rigorous, sensitive, and transparent inquiry.
As the clock ticks and the trail runs cold, Delhi Police, NDRF, cybersecurity experts, and the public must search harder—through data, memory, and reexamination—to find Sneha, alive or not.
Sneha’s disappearance is not just another headline—it’s a life frozen in time. As her sister Bipasha said, “This is not just about Sneha, but about the safety and dignity of every young woman in this city.
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