New Delhi: The national capital is facing a grave public safety crisis as more than 800 people went missing in just the first 15 days of 2026, according to official Delhi Police data. Alarmingly, women, girls, and minors form the majority of these cases, raising serious concerns about safety, policing, and social vulnerabilities in the city.
Over 800 Missing in 15 Days, Average 54 Cases Daily
Between January 1 and January 15, 2026, a total of 807 people were reported missing in Delhi. This translates to an average of around 54 missing persons every day.
Of these:
- 509 were women and girls
- 298 were men
Police records show that while 235 individuals have been traced, as many as 572 people remain unaccounted for, highlighting the scale and seriousness of the issue.
Women and Girls Form Nearly Two-Thirds of Missing Cases
Data from the Delhi Police reveals that nearly two-thirds of the missing persons were women and girls. Among the total missing cases:
- 509 were women and girls
- 298 were men
This disturbing trend reflects a continuation of patterns seen in previous years, where women consistently accounted for the majority of missing persons cases in the capital.
191 Minors Missing, Teenage Girls Most Affected
Child safety has emerged as a major concern, with 191 minors reported missing during the first half of January alone.
Breakdown of Missing Minors:
- 146 girls
- 45 boys
Teenagers form the largest group among missing minors:
- 169 adolescents went missing
- 138 were girls, 31 were boys
- Nearly 71% of teenage cases remain unresolved
Police data indicates that teenage girls face the highest risk, a trend that has remained consistent for nearly a decade.
Younger Children Also Missing
The data also highlights cases involving very young children:
Children Aged 8–12:
- 13 children missing
- 8 boys, 5 girls
Only 3 boys traced so far
Children Below 8 Years:
- 9 children reported missing
- 3 boys traced
- 6 children still missing
Only six children from these younger age groups have been traced so far, underlining serious gaps in child protection mechanisms.
Adults Make Up Largest Share of Missing Persons
Adults continue to account for the largest number of missing cases in Delhi.
Between January 1 and 15:
- 616 adults went missing
- 363 women
- 253 men
Police have managed to trace:
- 91 women
- 90 men
However, 435 adult cases remain unresolved, showing limited success in recovery despite ongoing efforts.
Long-Term Trend: Missing Cases Remain High in 2025
The alarming figures from early 2026 mirror a larger and persistent trend.
Missing Persons in 2025:
- 24,508 people reported missing
- 14,870 women
- 9,638 men
- 15,421 traced
- 9,087 cases unresolved
Women accounted for over 60% of all missing cases last year, marking 2025 as the worst year in the past decade for missing women in Delhi.
Decade-Long Data Shows Alarming Pattern
A 10-year analysis (2016–2026) paints a worrying picture:
- 2,32,737 people reported missing
- Nearly 1.8 lakh traced
- Around 52,000 cases still unsolved
Since 2016, an average of over 5,000 teenagers have gone missing every year, with nearly 3,500 being girls annually.
In 2025 alone:
- 5,081 teenagers went missing
- 3,970 were girls
- 1,013 teenagers remain untraced
Teenage Girls Face the Highest Risk
The data clearly indicates that teenage girls are the most vulnerable group. Year after year, they represent the highest proportion of missing cases, with many incidents linked to trafficking, exploitation, domestic issues, and social pressures, though police investigations are still ongoing in most cases.
Police Response and Ongoing Efforts
Delhi Police officials have stated that efforts to trace missing persons are ongoing, with special focus on women and children. Multiple units are reportedly engaged in tracking cases, coordinating with other states, and using digital surveillance tools.
However, the sheer volume of cases and the high number of unresolved disappearances continue to raise concerns over policing capacity and preventive measures.
A Growing Public Safety Crisis
The rising number of missing persons—especially women, teenage girls, and children—has once again put the spotlight on public safety in Delhi. Social activists and experts warn that without stronger preventive systems, faster investigations, and better inter-agency coordination, the crisis could deepen further in the coming years.
