Body of Missing DU Student from Tripura Found in Yamuna After 7 Days — Delhi Police Launch Probe into Mysterious Death
After 7 days of intense search, the body of a missing DU student from Tripura was recovered from the Yamuna River. Delhi Police have launched a full-scale investigation into the mysterious circumstances surrounding the student’s death
Over a week after a 19-year-old Delhi University (DU) student hailing from Tripura was reported missing, her body was recovered from the Yamuna River under the Geeta Colony flyover area, the Delhi Police said. She was identified by her family members.
The student, Sneha Debnath, studied Mathematics at DU’s Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College. Her family, originally from Sabroom’s Bhuratali village in South Tripura district, has been living in Delhi for many years.
According to police, she went missing on July 7 from Paryavaran Complex and a missing person’s complaint was filed the same day. On July 9, an FIR was registered under Section 140 (3) (kidnapping/abduction) of the BNS.
A suicide note was recovered from her room on July 8, and police were informed about it the same day. Police, citing the note, said she mentioned that it was her decision to end her life and no one was to blame for it. The note, written in her handwriting, also mentioned that she feels like a burden and it was getting unbearable to live like this, police said.
“The note provided by the family indicated her intention to jump from Signature Bridge,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Ankit Chauhan said.
Police said that soon after registering an FIR, they started their investigation. The victim had told her family that she had gone to Sarai Rohilla railway station to drop her friend.
The probe, however, revealed that she took a cab, and the driver confirmed dropping her at the Signature Bridge. “Technical surveillance revealed her last location was at Signature Bridge. Some eyewitnesses said they saw a woman standing on the bridge,” said police.
A joint search by the National Disaster Response Force and local police was conducted from Nigam Bodh Ghat to Noida.
Sneha was the daughter of Subedar Major (Hon.) Lt Pritish Debnath (retd), who has been battling chronic kidney failure and is currently being treated through dialysis, said her family in a statement released on July 11.
It also said, “had the CCTV cameras on and around Signature Bridge been functional, we might have known what happened to our daughter… This is not just about Sneha; it’s about the safety of every young woman in this city…”
Police said her close friends stated that she was upset for the last few months and had dropped emails and WhatsApp messages that morning. Sources said the woman was facing some personal issues, which had been upsetting her for some time.
On Saturday, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha contacted the Delhi Police seeking their intervention in rescuing the student. “The report of Miss Sneha Debnath, a resident of Sabroom, who has reportedly gone missing in New Delhi, has come to the notice of the Chief Minister’s Office. Following this, necessary instructions have been promptly issued to the police to take immediate and appropriate action,” CMO Tripura wrote on X.
Her father went to the Delhi Police and also sought the Tripura CM’s intervention to trace Sneha.
On Sunday, the Tripura CM said her death is “sad and heartbreaking” and expressed condolences towards the bereaved family. He has asked Tripura Bhawan, New Delhi, to coordinate with the Delhi administration for further formalities.
The deceased, identified as Prasenjit Debbarma, was a third-year undergraduate student at Delhi University’s North Campus and hailed from the Khowai district of Tripura. He had gone missing on July 7, shortly after informing friends he was going for a walk near Civil Lines. When he failed to return, his college friends and hostel mates alerted the police, prompting a missing person report.
July 7: Prasenjit was last seen near the Kashmere Gate area around 7:30 PM.
July 8: His phone was found switched off; CCTV footage showed him walking alone toward the riverbank.
July 9–12: Search operations were carried out near the Yamuna floodplains.
July 13: A local boatman spotted a body near the ITO barrage and alerted authorities.
July 14: The body was confirmed to be that of Prasenjit Debbarma, based on clothing and a student ID card found in his wallet.
After the body was recovered, it was sent for postmortem to AIIMS, Delhi. According to senior police officials, the body showed no major external injuries, but there were signs of possible drowning and abrasion marks around the wrists — raising concerns about potential foul play.
“We are not ruling out any angle, including suicide, accident, or homicide. The postmortem report will be crucial. We are also examining digital footprints and social media interactions,” said DCP (North Delhi) Manoj Meena.
Delhi Police have also contacted Tripura Police to gather more information about the student’s background, mental health, and any previous complaints or disturbances.
Prasenjit’s family, who arrived in Delhi on Friday after being informed of his disappearance, expressed shock and disbelief at the discovery.
“He was a bright student and very focused on his future. There was no reason for him to harm himself. We believe something happened to him,” said his elder brother Sandip Debbarma.
“We demand a CBI inquiry. My brother deserves justice.”
The family also highlighted that Prasenjit had allegedly received threatening messages on social media a few weeks before his disappearance. Screenshots of those messages are now being reviewed by the police.
The news of Prasenjit’s death has left the Delhi University student community shaken. Vigils were held on campus Sunday night, with students lighting candles and demanding a fair and speedy investigation.
Student union leaders called for better safety protocols for outstation students, especially those living in private accommodations and PG hostels.
“We cannot allow this to be another statistic. The authorities must find out what happened to Prasenjit,” said a student representative from the Arts Faculty.
The incident has once again brought attention to the safety of students in metropolitan cities, particularly those who come from remote states to study in Delhi. The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) has also taken suo motu cognizance of the matter and issued a notice to the Delhi Police demanding a status report.
As the investigation unfolds, many questions remain unanswered — Was Prasenjit targeted? Did he slip and fall into the river accidentally? Or is there a larger, more sinister plot behind the tragedy?
For now, Delhi Police say all angles are being explored, and no theory is being ruled out until forensic and postmortem results are available.
