Every day, several girls go missing across India, with minors forming the largest share. From time to time, various agencies and NGOs release data highlighting the seriousness of this issue. A recent report by news agency PTI has brought forward alarming figures from Delhi.
According to the report, the data from the first 15 days of 2026 is particularly shocking. Between January 1 and January 15, a total of 807 missing person complaints were registered in the national capital. This means that, on average, 54 people went missing every day in Delhi during this period.
Women and girls account for the majority of these cases — nearly two-thirds of the total, with 509 cases, while 298 cases involved missing men. So far, police have been able to trace 235 people, but 572 individuals remain unaccounted for. These figures are based solely on officially registered complaints.
Children and Teenagers Most Affected
The situation is most critical for children and teenagers. In the first half of January alone, 191 minors were reported missing, including 146 girls. Teenagers aged 13 to 18 years are the most vulnerable group, with 169 reported cases. Alarmingly, 71% of these children are still missing.
Even younger children are not spared. Nine children below the age of 8 were reported missing during this period, and six of them have not yet been traced.
Adults Also Missing in Large Numbers
The data shows that the problem is not limited to children. Within 15 days, 616 adults were reported missing, including 363 women and 253 men. Police have managed to locate only 181 adults, while 435 adults remain listed as missing in official records.
A Long-Standing Problem
This is not a new issue for Delhi. In 2025, a record 24,508 people went missing in the city, more than 14,800 of them women. Over the past 10 years, approximately 2.32 lakh people have gone missing in Delhi. While police have traced about 1.8 lakh individuals, nearly 52,000 cases remain unresolved.
‘Operation Milap’
Amid the rising numbers, Delhi Police has launched a special initiative called ‘Operation Milap’. Under this campaign, the South-West District Police reunited 75 missing persons, including 28 children, with their families in January alone. Police officials say efforts to trace missing persons are being intensified.
