 "No significant surge in missing cases, says Delhi Police amid claims of 807 reports in 15 days")
Amid widespread concern over reports that more than 800 people went missing from Delhi in the first 15 days of 2026, Delhi Police on Thursday said there has been “no significant surge” in missing persons cases. According to the force, January 2026 saw 1,777 cases, consistent with the monthly average of around 2,000 reports in recent years.
The police said missing persons numbers have remained largely stable since 2016, with annual figures ranging between 23,000 and 24,000 despite rapid population growth, reported ANI.
Police counters buzz over 807 disappearances
The clarification comes as social media posts and some media reports claimed that 807 people vanished in 15 days—nearly 54 a day—raising questions about public safety.
However, police data shows that since 2016, a total of 1,80,805 missing persons have been traced and reunited with their families, reflecting a recovery rate of about 77 per cent.
According to the statement, the absence of an upward trend indicates that the scale of the problem has not escalated over time, although each disappearance remains a matter of concern.
Recovery rate credited to operations and technology
Police attributed the high rate of traced individuals to initiatives such as Operation Milap and the adoption of AI-based facial recognition tools.
Despite this, data highlights ongoing challenges. The number of females yet to be traced has risen from 1,606 in 2016 to 5,576 in 2025. In 2025 alone, 9,087 of the 24,508 missing cases remained unresolved.
The year 2020 recorded the lowest number of missing persons—17,944—due to pandemic lockdowns.
Political reaction after viral reports
Earlier, former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, also the national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party, raised concerns about public safety following reports of 807 missing persons in two weeks.
In a post on X, Kejriwal wrote, “In Delhi, 807 people have gone missing in just 15 days, and most of them are women and children. These circumstances are not normal; they are extremely frightening. The safety of people in the nation’s capital has been left to the mercy of God. The Bharatiya Janata Party has complete power at every level in Delhi, yet why has Delhi become so unsafe?” The remarks were reported by ANI.
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View AllEarlier, the Press Trust of India also shared the viral figures, reporting that “minors made up 191 of the total cases, highlighting growing concerns around child safety,” a number that was subsequently cited by several media outlets.
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