What Is Happening? Over 800 People Go Missing in Delhi in Just 15 Days, Women Most at Risk
National Desk: According to official data released by Delhi Police, more than 800 people have gone missing from Delhi in the first 15 days of 2026—an alarming trend that has raised serious concerns about public safety, especially for women and children.
Between January 1 and January 15, 2026, a total of 807 people were reported missing. Of these, 509 were women and girls, while 298 were men. This means, on average, around 54 people are going missing every day in the capital. So far, only 235 people have been traced, while 572 remain unaccounted for.
Children Missing in Large Numbers
The situation is even more worrying for minors. Out of the total missing cases, 191 are children. Among them, 146 are girls and 45 are boys. Teenagers form the most vulnerable group—169 adolescents went missing during this period, including 138 girls and 31 boys. Police records show that around 71% of these cases are still unresolved.
Additionally:
- 13 children aged 8–12 years went missing (8 boys, 5 girls)
- 9 children below the age of 8 also disappeared
- Only 6 of these younger children have been traced so far
Adults Also Disappearing in Large Numbers
Apart from children, missing cases among adults are also high. During the same period, 616 adults went missing, including 363 women and 253 men. Police have managed to locate 181 adults, but 435 cases remain unsolved.
A Continuing Crisis
This is not a new problem. In 2025 alone, more than 24,500 people were reported missing in Delhi, with over 60% being women. Data from the last 10 years shows that nearly 2.3 lakh people have gone missing from the city, and around 52,000 of them have never been found.
What Is the Police Doing?
Delhi Police says it is running continuous search operations, with special priority given to cases involving women and children. Investigations involve coordination between police stations, analysis of CCTV footage, call detail records, and other technical tools. Despite these efforts, the sheer scale of missing cases has raised serious questions about safety and law enforcement effectiveness in the national capital.
