1,777 vanish in a month: Delhi Police say 'don't panic over rumours, this is not a new trend'

• Delhi Police: January 2026 missing persons cases below monthly average
• Police clarify no sudden spike or new trend in missing persons cases
• Female missing cases yet to be traced rose from 1,606 in 2016 to 5,576 in 2025

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Delhi Police on Thursday dismissed claims that the national capital is witnessing a sharp rise in missing persons cases, saying official data does not show any unusual increase. The clarification came after reports highlighted that 807 people were reported missing in the first 15 days of January 2026.

According to the police, such figures need to be viewed in context and compared with long-term trends rather than short time periods. As per the Delhi Police records, 1,777 missing persons cases were registered in January 2026, which they said is actually lower than the city’s usual monthly average.

हम यह स्पष्ट करना चाहते है कि गुमशुदगी, विशेषकर बच्चों के लापता होनें को लेकर फैलायी जा रही अफवाहों से घबराने की कोई आवश्यकता नहीं है।

विगत वर्षों की तुलना में गुमशुदगी के मामलों में वृद्धि नहीं हुई है। दिल्ली पुलिस त्वरित जांच व कार्रवाई के साथ नागरिकों की सुरक्षा के लिए… pic.twitter.com/WjV1MCoTEM — Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) February 5, 2026

In 2025, Delhi recorded a total of 24,508 missing persons cases, which comes to an average of about 2,042 cases per month. In comparison, January 2025 alone saw 1,786 missing persons cases, slightly higher than January 2026. Based on these figures, police said there is no indication of a sudden spike or new trend.

The statement by Sanjay Tyagi, Joint Commissioner of Police/Public Relations Officer, Delhi Police, was shared via the X account of the Delhi Police.

"We wish to clarify that there is no need to panic over the rumours being spread regarding missing persons, especially the disappearance of children," he said.

He added that missing persons numbers in Delhi have remained largely stable for nearly a decade. Since 2016, the annual figures have consistently ranged between 23,000 and 24,000 cases, despite the city’s growing population.

Delhi Police also stressed that tracing missing persons is a cumulative and time-based process. “Detection rates cannot be judged only by yearly comparisons,” the official statement said. Between 2016 and 2025, police traced and reunited 1,80,805 missing persons with their families, resulting in an overall recovery rate of about 77 per cent.

While 85 per cent of cases reported in 2016 have been solved over nine years, around 63 per cent of cases registered in 2025 have already been resolved within the same year. Police credited this to initiatives such as ‘Operation Milap’ and the use of technology, including artificial intelligence-based facial recognition systems.

Officials also pointed out that Delhi’s easy and transparent reporting system contributes to higher numbers. Missing person complaints can be filed online without visiting a police station, leading to the registration of short-duration or precautionary cases. These include instances where children are delayed from school or individuals are temporarily unreachable.

Many such cases are resolved quickly, but if families do not update the police, they remain part of official records. “Higher reporting reflects transparency, not necessarily a higher number of long-term disappearances,” the police said.

For global comparison, police cited missing persons rates per 100,000 population. According to the data, England or London reports 254 missing persons per 100,000 people, the United States reports 138, while Delhi reports an average of 122.5.

However, police data also flagged concerns, particularly regarding women. The number of females yet to be traced has increased from 1,606 in 2016 to 5,576 in 2025. In total, 9,087 cases from 2025 remain unresolved.