New Delhi: The body of 19-year-old Sneha Debnath, a mathematics undergraduate at Delhi University’s Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College, was recovered from the Yamuna River near the Geeta Colony flyover on Sunday evening. She had been missing since July 7.

A resident of Paryavaran Complex in south Delhi and originally from Tripura, Sneha left behind a handwritten note indicating she intended to jump off the Signature Bridge. A case was registered at Mehrauli Police Station following her disappearance.

Confirmed last location: Signature Bridge

Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Ankit Chauhan said: “Investigation was taken up. The cab driver confirmed dropping her at the Signature Bridge. Technical surveillance revealed her last location was at Signature Bridge.”

Eyewitnesses also claimed to have seen a girl standing on the bridge. Search operations were immediately launched by the National Disaster Response Force and local police from Nigam Bodh Ghat to Noida.

Her body was eventually spotted floating under the Geeta Colony flyover and was identified by her family.

CCTV cameras non-functional, allege family and friends

Sneha’s family and friends criticised the lack of functioning surveillance infrastructure around Signature Bridge. A friend stated that none of the CCTV cameras in the vicinity were operational at the time.

"Despite the Signature Bridge being a suicide-prone area, there is not a single CCTV camera that works on the bridge or in nearby areas," the friend said.

Last known movements and family concerns

On July 7, Sneha reportedly told her family during a 5:56 am phone call that she would meet a friend, Pitunia, at Sarai Rohilla Railway Station. Her phone later became unreachable, prompting concern.

When contacted, Pitunia said she had not met Sneha. The family later found from the cab driver that she had been dropped at Signature Bridge.

A web dashboard was launched by her friends and family urging people to share information. 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 in finding her safely."

Family criticises jurisdiction confusion and seeks accountability

Sneha’s family released a statement expressing anguish over the non-functional CCTVs and jurisdictional confusion surrounding the Signature Bridge area.

"It is unacceptable that in a high-risk area like Signature Bridge, no CCTV cameras are working. My sister was missing, and we have no leads because the only concrete form of evidence, video footage, is simply not available," the statement read.

The family also highlighted that the bridge falls under 4-5 different police stations, leading to diluted responsibility and poor coordination.

Demands for immediate reform

The family has demanded the following:

  • Immediate repair of all CCTV cameras at Signature Bridge
  • Clear jurisdiction assignment for the area
  • A public audit of CCTV infrastructure across Delhi
  • Transparency in the investigation's progress

Earlier, the family said, "We are devastated and deeply anguished by the disappearance of our daughter, Sneha Debnath, a 19-year-old student of Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College, Delhi University."

Sneha was described as a bright and ambitious young woman. Her father, Subedar Major (Hon.) Lt Pritish Debnath (retd), is undergoing dialysis treatment for chronic kidney failure.

With PTI inputs