Missing Tripura Student Sneha Debnath Found Dead in Delhi’s Yamuna River
Agartala/Delhi, July 13, 2025: The week-long search for 19-year-old Sneha Debnath, a student from Tripura who went missing in Delhi, ended in tragedy on Saturday as her body was recovered from the Yamuna River near Signature Bridge.
The Delhi Police, with support from Tripura Police and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), identified the body after an extensive search operation. The confirmation came days after Sneha was last seen on the morning of July 7, when she left her residence to reportedly drop a friend at Sarai Rohilla railway station — a meeting that never took place.
Her final known location, as per the cab driver’s statement, was Signature Bridge — a surveillance blind spot with no functioning CCTV cameras. The case gained widespread attention after her father, retired Army Subedar Major (Hony. Lt.) Pritish Debnath, released an emotional video message appealing for the Tripura Chief Minister’s intervention.
Following this, Tripura Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha instructed Tripura Police and Tripura Bhavan in New Delhi to assist in the investigation and provide support to the family. The FIR, initially delayed by over 48 hours, led to increased scrutiny of the handling of the case.
In a statement issued today, Chief Minister Saha expressed deep sorrow over the incident, calling it “heartbreaking and deeply disturbing.”
“This is an irreparable loss for the family. I offer my heartfelt condolences and have directed Tripura Bhavan to extend all necessary assistance. The matter must be thoroughly investigated,” the Chief Minister said.
The Delhi Police have sent the body for post-mortem examination. Investigators are now working to determine the exact cause and circumstances of Sneha’s death, including whether foul play was involved.
Sneha, a second-year student at Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College under Delhi University, hailed from Sabroom in South Tripura. Her disappearance had triggered a wave of concern across Tripura, with citizens and student communities demanding swift action and accountability.
This tragic incident has reignited conversations about women’s safety, the need for operational CCTV coverage in high-risk zones, and the alarming misuse of blind spots in urban surveillance.
As the investigation continues, Sneha’s family is expected to receive her body for final rites, supported by officials from the Tripura government in the national capital.
Timeline Recap:
July 7: Sneha goes missing; last seen at Signature Bridge. July 9: NDRF begins 7-km radius search. July 11: Tripura CMO issues official statement. July 13: Body recovered from Yamuna River.
The loss of Sneha Debnath has cast a shadow of grief over Tripura and raised urgent questions about urban safety infrastructure in India’s capital.
