Have you ever wondered how hundreds of people can disappear in a busy city like Delhi? In the first weeks of 2026, a shocking report revealed that more than 800 people were reported missing.
This crisis has raised serious concerns about safety, especially for women and children. Let’s look at the facts, understand the reasons, and explore what can be done.
Delhi Missing Persons: Key Facts and Figures (January 2026)l
Imagine 54 people vanishing every day. That was the reality in Delhi for the first half of January 2026. Official police data shows 807 missing complaints were filed in just 15 days.
Other reports looking at the first 27 days of January still show around 800 missing, with over 130 children still not found. By early February, police had only traced 235 people, leaving 572 individuals still missing.
This is not a new problem for Delhi. The city has a long history of high missing persons cases, but the 2026 numbers have caused nationwide alarm.
Who Is Missing? Breakdown by Age and Gender
The data shows a clear and worrying pattern: women and children are most at risk.
- Women and Girls: They make up nearly two-thirds of all cases. Out of the 807 people missing in early January, 509 were female.
- Minors (Children): 191 children were reported missing. Among them, 146 were girls, many aged between 12 and 18 years old. For very young children (under 8), 9 went missing and only 3 boys were found.
- Adults: There were 616 adult cases—363 women and 253 men. Police found 181 of them, but 435 are still missing.
These are not just numbers. Each case is a family living in fear and a life interrupted.
Is This a New Crisis? Delhi's Missing Persons History
The crisis in early 2026 is part of a much larger, ongoing problem.
- In 2025, about 24,508 people were reported missing in Delhi—roughly 2,000 per month.
- Over the last ten years (2016-2025), the total exceeds 230,000 missing persons, with about 52,000 cases still unresolved.
- Across India, national data shows over 170 girls go missing every single day.
Areas like Outer North Delhi regularly report the highest numbers. While the 2026 figures are very high, they are consistent with Delhi's painful trend.
Why Are So Many People Disappearing in Delhi?
There is no single reason. Experts point to a mix of social problems and criminal activity:
- Runaways: Many cases, especially teenagers, involve young people leaving home due to family problems, exam pressure, or relationships.
- Human Trafficking: This is a major threat, particularly for women and children, who may be forced into labor or other illegal activities.
- Online Dangers: Social media and apps are used by criminals to trick and lure young people with false promises.
- Urban Migration: People move to Delhi for work and sometimes lose contact with family or face problems in the big city.
- Mental Health & Poverty: Stress, depression, and financial difficulties can lead people to leave their lives behind.
What Is Delhi Police Doing? Efforts and Challenges
The police are actively working on these cases.
- Operation Milap: This initiative helped reunite 75 missing persons with families in January 2026 alone.
- ZIPNET Portal: The public can use this online portal to track missing person cases, see photos, and get details.
- Recovery Rate: From the early January cases, police had a 29% success rate in finding people (235 traced out of 807).
However, police face big challenges: being understaffed, the huge size of the city, and reports that are filed too late. Some experts have even suggested the need for a Supreme Court case to force bigger systemic changes.
Public Reaction: Anger, Fear, and Demand for Action
People in Delhi and across India are worried and angry. Social media is filled with posts demanding answers.
- Many are asking, "What is happening in Delhi? Where are these people going?".
- There is a strong focus on women's safety, with calls for more police, better street lighting, and security cameras.
- Activists and NGOs are highlighting that 13 children go missing in Delhi every day on average. The public mood is clear: this is a crisis that needs immediate action.
How to Solve the Missing Persons Problem: Steps Forward
Fixing this requires effort from everyone—families, communities, and the government.
For Families and Communities:
- Talk to Your Children: Discuss the dangers of talking to strangers online and offline.
- Report Quickly: If someone goes missing, file a police report immediately. Every hour counts.
- Stay Vigilant: Know your neighbors and be aware of your surroundings.
For the Government and Police:
- Use More Technology: Improve CCTV networks and use tools like facial recognition software to find people faster.
- Increase Coordination: Police in different states need to work together better, as people can be taken across borders.
- Strengthen Laws: Enforce stricter punishments for human trafficking and crimes against women and children.
- Create Support Systems: Offer better help for migrants, poor families, and people with mental health issues.
What You Can Do:
You can help. Use the ZIPNET website to check details of missing persons. Share verified alerts on social media responsibly. Support local NGOs that work on this issue.
Conclusion: A Call for Safety and Action
The disappearance of over 800 people in Delhi in January 2026 is a serious alarm bell. It shows deep problems with safety, especially for women and children. While the police are trying, more must be done to stop trafficking, help vulnerable people, and make Delhi safer for everyone.
Let's not ignore this crisis. Stay informed, stay safe, and demand action.
If you have any information on a missing person, contact the police immediately.
Together, we can help bring people home.
