NEW DELHI — The national capital is facing a mounting public safety challenge as Delhi Police data released this week highlights a significant spike in missing person reports. Between January 1 and January 15, 2026, a total of 807 people were reported missing, fueling concerns over human trafficking, social pressures, and urban security gaps.
1. The Gender Divide: Women and Girls Most Vulnerable
The data shows a disproportionate impact on females, who make up the vast majority of missing cases in the new year.
- The Statistics: Out of 807 total cases, 509 were women and girls, compared to 298 men.
- Resolution Rate: While police traced 235 individuals during this period, 572 people remain unaccounted for as of early February.
- Adult Disappearances: Adults constitute the largest volume of missing persons, with 363 women and 253 men reported missing in the first half of January.
2. The Minor Crisis: Teenagers at High Risk
Perhaps the most concerning aspect of the report is the high volume of missing minors, particularly adolescent girls.
- Total Minors: 191 children went missing (averaging 13 per day).
- The “Teen” Gap: 169 of these were teenagers (12–18 years). Among them, 138 were girls.
- Unresolved Cases: Nearly 71% of teenage cases remain unresolved, with many experts pointing to social media grooming and “digital elopement” as significant contributing factors.
3. Age-Wise Breakdown (Jan 1–15, 2026)
| Age Group | Missing Count | Traced So Far | Key Concern |
| Below 8 Years | 9 | 3 | High vulnerability to kidnapping. |
| 8 to 12 Years | 13 | 3 | Majority remain untraced (10 children). |
| 12 to 18 Years | 169 | 48 | 121 adolescents (mostly girls) still missing. |
| Adults (18+) | 616 | 181 | 435 adults remain missing. |
4. A Decade of Disappearances: The Long-Term Trend
This is not a sudden anomaly but part of a deepening decade-long pattern in the capital.
- 2025 Retrospective: Last year, Delhi recorded over 24,500 missing cases, the highest in recent history.
- Decadal Data: Between 2016 and 2026, over 2.3 lakh people went missing in Delhi. While roughly 1.8 lakh were found, nearly 52,000 cases remain unresolved.
- Trafficking Concerns: Between 2023 and early 2026, authorities rescued 6,759 trafficked minors in Delhi, suggesting organized networks continue to use the city as both a destination and a transit hub.