The first weeks of 2026 have cast a troubling spotlight on public safety in India’s national capital. Official data from the Delhi Police shows that more than 800 people were reported missing in the city within the opening days of the year, with women and children making up a disproportionately large share of these cases.

Between January 1 and January 15, a total of 807 people were reported missing in Delhi. The figures point to an average of around 54 missing persons every day, underlining the scale and persistence of the problem. Even as police efforts continue, the majority of these cases remain unresolved, raising pressing concerns about women’s safety, child protection, and systemic gaps in prevention and response mechanisms.

Missing Persons in Delhi: The Numbers at a Glance

According to Delhi Police records, 807 individuals were reported missing during the first half of January 2026. Of these, only 235 people have been traced so far, while 572 remain unaccounted for.

The data reveals a stark gender imbalance:

• 509 of the missing persons were women and girls

• 298 were men

This means nearly two-thirds of all missing cases involved females, reflecting a trend that has persisted in the capital over several years.

The scale of daily disappearances is particularly alarming. With over 50 people going missing each day, missing persons cases in Delhi appear not as isolated incidents but as a recurring urban crisis.

Women at the Centre of the Crisis

Women and girls continue to bear the brunt of missing persons cases in Delhi. Out of the 807 people reported missing in the first 15 days of 2026, 509 were women and girls, making them the single largest affected group.

This pattern mirrors long-term data trends. In 2025 alone, Delhi recorded 24,508 missing persons cases, of which 14,870 involved women, accounting for more than 60 per cent of the total. The year also marked the highest number of missing women cases recorded so far, indicating a steady year-on-year rise.

Experts and police officials point to a range of contributing factors, including unsafe public spaces, economic vulnerability, migration-related stress, family disputes, trafficking risks, and gaps in early intervention. The persistence of unresolved cases adds to the anxiety faced by families and communities, many of whom wait years without closure.

Children Missing in Delhi: A Growing Safety Concern

Children account for a significant portion of the missing persons data from early 2026. Police records show that 191 minors were reported missing between January 1 and 15.

Among these missing children:

• 146 were girls

• 45 were boys

This means girls made up over three-fourths of the missing minors, highlighting a sharp gender skew even at young ages.

The figures translate to an average of around 13 children going missing every day in Delhi during this period, a statistic that has intensified concerns over child safety in the capital.

Teenagers Most Vulnerable: Nearly 71% Still Missing

Teenagers form the most vulnerable age group among missing children. Of the 191 missing minors, 169 were adolescents aged between 12 and 18 years.

The breakdown shows:

• 138 missing teenage girls

• 31 missing teenage boys

While police have managed to trace 29 girls and 19 boys, a staggering 121 teenagers remain untraced, meaning nearly 71 per cent of adolescent cases are still unresolved.

This trend is not new. A decadal analysis indicates that more than 5,000 teenagers go missing in Delhi every year on average, with girls accounting for nearly 3,500 cases annually.

In 2025 alone, 5,081 teenagers were reported missing, including 3,970 girls. Of these, 1,013 adolescents are yet to be traced, reinforcing concerns that teenage girls face heightened risks in urban environments.

Younger Children Also Affected

While adolescents dominate the missing minors category, younger children are not immune.

• In the 8 to 12 age group, 13 children were reported missing in early January 2026, including eight boys and five girls. Only three boys have been traced, leaving 10 children still missing.

• In the 0 to 8 years age group, nine children were reported missing. Police have traced three boys, while six children remain unaccounted for.

Police data from previous years shows that these concerns persist beyond 2026. In 2025, 368 children aged 0–8 years went missing in Delhi. Of them, 149 were traced, while 219 remain untraced, highlighting the long-term nature of the issue.

Adults Form the Largest Group of Missing Persons

Adults continue to make up the largest category among missing persons in Delhi. Between January 1 and 15, 2026, police recorded 616 missing adults, including:

• 363 women

• 253 men

Authorities have been able to trace 181 adults so far, comprising 90 men and 91 women. However, 435 adult cases remain pending, underscoring the challenges involved in locating missing individuals across age groups.

Factors such as job-related migration, homelessness, mental health issues, family conflicts, and economic distress are often cited as contributors to adult disappearances. However, the sheer volume of unresolved cases suggests deeper structural and coordination challenges.

Extending the Timeline: Missing Cases Until January 27

When the data window is extended to January 27, 2026, the overall numbers remain unchanged in scale but further underline the seriousness of the situation.

Between January 1 and January 27, a total of 807 people were reported missing. During this period:

• 235 individuals were traced

• 572 remain missing

On average, around 27 people went missing each day, while only about nine people were traced daily, pointing to a widening gap between cases reported and cases resolved.

Among the 191 missing minors during this extended period, only 48 children were traced, leaving 137 children still missing. Of these untraced minors, 120 are girls, once again highlighting gender-based vulnerability.

Long-Term Trends: A Decade of Missing Persons in Delhi

The early 2026 figures are part of a much larger and deeply worrying trend. A decadal analysis from 2016 to 2026 shows that nearly 2.3 lakh people have gone missing in Delhi over the past ten years.

While around 1.8 lakh individuals were traced, close to 52,000 cases remain unresolved, according to Delhi Police records.

When it comes to children specifically, the numbers are equally concerning:

• Between 2016 and 2026, 60,694 children below the age of 18 were reported missing in Delhi.

• 53,763 were traced

• 6,931 children — nearly 11 per cent — remain untraced

Over the last 11 years, 5,559 children were reported missing, and 695 of them are still missing, reflecting persistent gaps in long-term recovery efforts.

Why Are So Many People Missing in Delhi?

Experts and officials cite a complex mix of reasons behind the high number of missing persons cases in the capital. These include:

• Seasonal and economic migration

• Financial stress, especially after year-end

• Family disputes and domestic issues

• Exploitation and trafficking networks

• Homelessness and mental health challenges

• Lack of awareness about reporting mechanisms

• Population density and urban anonymity

• Limited resources for preventive policing

Police records and platforms such as the Zonal Integrated Police Network (ZIPNET) show that many cases stretch on for years, raising difficult questions about the fate of those who are never traced.

Police Response and Ongoing Efforts

Delhi Police officials maintain that efforts to trace missing persons are ongoing, with special focus on women and children. However, the persistent backlog of unresolved cases suggests that faster response systems, better coordination, and stronger community awareness are urgently required.

Despite technological tools and national databases, the numbers remain largely unchanged year after year, pointing to systemic challenges that go beyond individual investigations.

A Crisis That Demands Urgent Attention

The disappearance of over 800 people in just the first weeks of 2026 is more than a statistic—it is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities that persist in one of India’s largest cities. With women and teenage girls most affected, and tens of thousands of cases unresolved over the past decade, the issue of missing persons in Delhi demands sustained attention, stronger preventive measures, and long-term policy solutions.

As families continue to wait for answers, the data raises a pressing question that remains unanswered year after year: how many of those who go missing in Delhi will ever return home?

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved. Powered by Vygr Media.