Responding to recent reports of an alleged spike in missing-person cases, Delhi Police stated that the official figures do not indicate any abnormal rise.
Delhi Police reported 807 people missing between January 1 and January 15, including 191 minors.
However, this number aligns with historical trends, with January 2026 recording 1,777 cases—lower than both the monthly average and comparable periods in previous years.
Taking to the social media platform X, Delhi Police urged citizens not to fall prey to rumours and warned those misrepresenting data that strict legal action will follow.
The force emphasised that the safety of every child remains a top priority and highlighted its commitment to providing 24/7 support to locate and reunite missing persons with their families.
Recent public discourse has raised concerns about the welfare of children in Delhi. We appeal to the citizens not to fall prey to the rumours about the spurt in the cases of missing children.
While denying such claims, we also warn rumour mongers of strict legal action for…— Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) February 5, 2026
Since 2016, Delhi Police have traced 1,80,805 missing persons, achieving a recovery rate of roughly 77 per cent.
Operation Milap and AI-based facial recognition systems have helped Delhi Police significantly, enabling them to resolve 63 per cent of cases reported in 2025 within the same year.
Authorities cautioned against simplistic year-on-year comparisons, noting that missing-person detection is time-sensitive and cumulative.
Delhi Police reaffirmed that missing-person statistics have remained stable despite population growth, stressing the force’s ongoing focus on child protection, rapid response, and effective law enforcement to ensure the safety of the city’s residents.
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