New Delhi: Sneha Debnath, the 19-year-old Delhi University student whose body was found in the Yamuna River nearly a week after she went missing on July 7, did not appear troubled or anxious during her last known interactions, according to the cab driver who saw her that morning. The driver, who dropped her off at the Signature Bridge, said she received a phone call shortly before exiting the cab, calmly paid ₹523 online, and got off without any sign of distress.

Calm behaviour throughout the journey

The cab driver who picked her up confirmed that she appeared calm and relaxed during the journey. “I had picked her up at 5.15 am, and she had a ride of 45 minutes. I dropped her at the signature bridge. After the ride, she paid me ₹523 online. She did not seem to be bothered. She asked if she could connect Bluetooth to play music. I said no but offered to play YouTube songs instead. She asked me to play any song I liked. She seemed relaxed,” he said.

Phone call moments before exit

He added that Sneha received a phone call just before the ride ended and showed no urgency or concern. “About five minutes before the ride ended, she got a call. She told the caller she would call back after paying for the ride. She paid ₹523 online and got off near the Signature Bridge. I took a U-turn after dropping her and didn't see her again, but I didn't suspect anything. There were people around, and there are also cameras in the area, though I don't know if they're functional.”

Cab driver contacted by family and police

The driver said Sneha’s sister contacted him later that day around 2 pm. He was also questioned by the police and helped them identify the drop-off location.

Neighbour says Sneha was her usual self

Her neighbour also recalled that Sneha looked composed and showed no signs of distress. “I never saw her tensed. When I met her on July 7, she seemed completely normal. She was talking to someone on the phone; the conversation also seemed normal. I last saw her around 5.15 am when she took the cab,” said the neighbour.

The Delhi Police are now conducting a full-fledged investigation into the incident.

Suicide suspected; Body identified by family

A senior Delhi Police official confirmed that Sneha’s body was recovered and identified by her family. Preliminary findings suggest she died by suicide after jumping from the Signature Bridge in Geeta Colony. Sneha, a mathematics student from Tripura living in Delhi’s Saket, had left behind a signed note.

Note points to mental health struggles

The note described her as a "failure and a burden" and stated that life had become "unbearable." In the note, she mentioned that her decision was taken "fully consciously" and not under any influence.

Outpouring of support and official intervention

Sneha's disappearance triggered concern across states. Her father, Pritthis Debnath, a military personnel, is said to be in constant touch with the Delhi Police. He had also reached out to Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, who expressed condolences and directed officials at Tripura Bhavan in New Delhi to assist the grieving family.

"The Chief Minister has ordered a detailed probe into the incident. Senior Tripura Police officials are in touch with their counterparts in Delhi," an official from the CMO said.

Confusion over her whereabouts before disappearance

According to reports citing family sources, Sneha had left her home early on July 7 to receive a friend at Sarai Rohilla railway station. However, the cab she took dropped her off at the Signature Bridge instead. Her phone was switched off shortly after.

Sneha's four-member family has been staying in Delhi for many years. Family members remain extremely concerned. She left home without any belongings and had not withdrawn money from the ATM in the past few months. Sneha's bank account remains untouched so far.

IANS