MissingPersons – Delhi Police Reports Stable Trend in Disappearance Cases
MissingPersons – Delhi Police has stated that recent figures do not indicate any unusual increase in the number of people reported missing in the capital. Officials explained that in January 2026, authorities registered 1,777 missing person complaints, which remains close to the city’s usual monthly average of around 2,000 cases. The clarification comes amid public discussion over recent reports highlighting multiple disappearances in a short span.
Long-Term Data Reflects Consistent Pattern
According to police records, the number of missing persons reported each year in Delhi has shown a largely steady trend for nearly a decade. Since 2016, annual reports have consistently recorded figures ranging between 23,000 and 24,000 cases. Authorities noted that this consistency has been observed despite the city witnessing significant population expansion during the same period.
The police emphasized that statistical analysis does not show a rising pattern in disappearance cases over the years. However, officials acknowledged that each case continues to be treated as a serious matter requiring detailed investigation and timely response.
Recent Reports Trigger Public Concerns
Concerns about safety gained attention after reports surfaced claiming that 807 individuals went missing in Delhi within the first 15 days of 2026. The data suggests an average of nearly 54 disappearance reports daily during that period, raising questions among residents regarding public security and law enforcement preparedness.
Authorities responded by explaining that short-term fluctuations in reporting numbers are not uncommon and must be viewed within the context of long-term data trends. They reiterated that overall figures remain consistent with past patterns and do not indicate an extraordinary spike.
Recovery Efforts Show Significant Success Rate
Police data highlights that between 2016 and 2025, authorities successfully located and reunited 1,80,805 missing individuals with their families. This reflects an approximate recovery rate of 77 percent. Officials credited several focused initiatives and technological interventions for improving tracing operations.
One of the key initiatives cited by police is Operation Milap, which focuses on locating missing individuals and reconnecting them with their families. In addition, investigators have increasingly relied on advanced digital tools, including artificial intelligence-based facial recognition systems, to identify and track missing persons more effectively.
Rising Concern Over Untraced Female Cases
While the overall recovery rate remains encouraging, police data reveals certain areas of concern. The number of female individuals who remain untraced has shown a gradual increase over the years. Records indicate that the number rose from 1,606 unresolved cases in 2016 to 5,576 cases by 2025.
Further data shows that in 2025, authorities were unable to resolve 9,087 cases out of the total 24,508 missing person complaints registered during the year. Officials acknowledged the need for targeted efforts to address these unresolved cases and improve investigation mechanisms, particularly in cases involving women and minors.
Pandemic Period Recorded Lowest Case Numbers
Authorities also pointed out that disappearance reports saw a noticeable decline in 2020, when Delhi recorded 17,944 cases, the lowest number in recent years. Police attributed this drop largely to mobility restrictions and lockdown measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly limited public movement across the city.
Political Reactions Highlight Safety Debate
The issue of missing persons has also drawn political attention. Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal expressed concern over the reported disappearance figures for early 2026. He raised questions regarding public safety and the effectiveness of governance and law enforcement in ensuring citizen security in the national capital.
Police officials, however, reiterated that long-term data should be considered when assessing safety trends. They maintained that their continued recovery operations and technology-driven investigations remain focused on reducing unresolved cases and strengthening response systems.