Delhi woman dies while taking photo in Uttarakhand’s Chopta; Had told parents she was going to look for a job, found dead in 400-metre gorge

A 26-year-old woman from Delhi’s Shahdara was found dead on Monday after she went missing during a solo trip to Uttarakhand’s Chopta. Her body was recovered from a gorge around 400 metres deep below Ravan Shila along the Chopta-Tungnath trekking route.

Police suspect that the woman may have slipped and fallen while attempting to take a photograph at the tourist spot.

Woman Had Left Delhi Saying She Was Looking For A Job

The deceased, identified as Pooja Sahni, had left Delhi on September 19. According to police, she told her family that she was going out to look for a job.


Instead, Sahni travelled alone to Uttarakhand and reached Rudraprayag on the morning of September 20.

When she failed to return home, her family approached the Welcome police station in Delhi and filed a missing person complaint.

Search Operation Launched Near Tungnath

Rudraprayag police were informed on Sunday evening about a possible fall from a rocky section along the trekking route. The spot is reportedly frequented by tourists and trekkers who stop there to take photographs.

Sub-inspector Manwar Singh said a State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team began searching the area near Tungnath temple on Sunday evening. However, the operation had to be called off after darkness made the search difficult.

Body Recovered From 400-Metre Gorge

The search operation resumed at around 7:10 am on Monday. The SDRF team subsequently located and recovered Sahni’s body from the gorge.

The recovery operation involved the District Disaster Response Force (DDRF) and local police. The teams carried the body on a stretcher for around three kilometres through difficult terrain before bringing it back to Chopta.

Police Suspect Woman Fell While Taking Photograph

According to police, Sahni may have climbed onto the rocky area to take a photograph before losing her balance.

“It appears that she climbed onto the rock to click a picture, lost her balance and fell into the gorge,” SI Singh said, noting that gusty winds were blowing in the area on Sunday evening.

Family Expected To Reach Uttarakhand

Rudraprayag police said Sahni’s family was expected to reach Augustmuni by Monday night.

Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death. Further details about Sahni’s background and the exact sequence of events leading to the fall are awaited.

[With TOI inputs]