Over 800 people went missing in Delhi in first 27 days of 2026; 137 children still untraced
Between 2015 and 2025, thousands of missing cases were registered in Delhi, many of which are yet to be resolved. Over the last 11 years alone, 5,559 children were reported missing from the capital, and 695 of them have still not been traced.
As many as 807 people were reported missing in Delhi during the first 27 days of 2026, according to Delhi Police data, raising fresh concerns over the scale of missing persons cases in the national capital.
Of the total missing persons reported between January 1 and January 27, police were able to trace 235 individuals, while 572 remain untraced. The data shows that, on average, around 27 people went missing every day during this period, even as about nine people were traced daily.
Children account for a significant portion of the missing cases. Of the 191 missing minors reported in the first 27 days of the year, only 48 children were traced, leaving 137 children still missing. Among these untraced minors, 120 are girls, highlighting a sharp gender skew.
Among adults, 616 people were reported missing. Police traced 181 of them, including 90 men and 91 women, while 435 adults are still unaccounted for.
A closer look at age-wise data among children reveals worrying trends. In the 0–8 years age group, nine children were reported missing during the first 27 days of 2026. Three of them have been traced, while efforts are continuing to locate the remaining six. In comparison, 368 children in this age group went missing in 2025, of whom 149 were traced and 219 remain untraced.
In the 8–12 years age group, 13 children were reported missing in early 2026. Only three were traced, while 10 remain missing. The highest number of cases continues to be among adolescents aged 12–18 years. In this group, 169 children went missing in the first 27 days of the year, of whom 48 were traced and 121 are still missing.
Police records and past data from platforms such as the Zonal Integrated Police Network (ZIPNET) indicate that the problem is not new. Between 2015 and 2025, thousands of missing cases were registered in Delhi, many of which are yet to be resolved. Over the last 11 years alone, 5,559 children were reported missing from the capital, and 695 of them have still not been traced.
Long-term data further underline the gravity of the issue. Between 2016 and 2026, a total of 60,694 children up to the age of 18 were reported missing in Delhi. Of these, 53,763 were traced, while 6,931 children — around 11 per cent — remain untraced.
Delhi Police records also point to a consistently high proportion of adolescent girls (12–18 years) among missing minors, raising concerns that these cases may not always be limited to routine missing incidents and could involve risks such as trafficking, abduction, or other criminal activities.
Despite the passage of years, the numbers remain largely unchanged, prompting persistent questions about the fate of those who are never traced, and the systemic challenges faced in locating them.
As many as 807 people were reported missing in Delhi during the first 27 days of 2026, according to Delhi Police data, raising fresh concerns over the scale of missing persons cases in the national capital.
Of the total missing persons reported between January 1 and January 27, police were able to trace 235 individuals, while 572 remain untraced. The data shows that, on average, around 27 people went missing every day during this period, even as about nine people were traced daily.
Children account for a significant portion of the missing cases. Of the 191 missing minors reported in the first 27 days of the year, only 48 children were traced, leaving 137 children still missing. Among these untraced minors, 120 are girls, highlighting a sharp gender skew.
Among adults, 616 people were reported missing. Police traced 181 of them, including 90 men and 91 women, while 435 adults are still unaccounted for.
A closer look at age-wise data among children reveals worrying trends. In the 0–8 years age group, nine children were reported missing during the first 27 days of 2026. Three of them have been traced, while efforts are continuing to locate the remaining six. In comparison, 368 children in this age group went missing in 2025, of whom 149 were traced and 219 remain untraced.
In the 8–12 years age group, 13 children were reported missing in early 2026. Only three were traced, while 10 remain missing. The highest number of cases continues to be among adolescents aged 12–18 years. In this group, 169 children went missing in the first 27 days of the year, of whom 48 were traced and 121 are still missing.
Police records and past data from platforms such as the Zonal Integrated Police Network (ZIPNET) indicate that the problem is not new. Between 2015 and 2025, thousands of missing cases were registered in Delhi, many of which are yet to be resolved. Over the last 11 years alone, 5,559 children were reported missing from the capital, and 695 of them have still not been traced.
Long-term data further underline the gravity of the issue. Between 2016 and 2026, a total of 60,694 children up to the age of 18 were reported missing in Delhi. Of these, 53,763 were traced, while 6,931 children — around 11 per cent — remain untraced.
Delhi Police records also point to a consistently high proportion of adolescent girls (12–18 years) among missing minors, raising concerns that these cases may not always be limited to routine missing incidents and could involve risks such as trafficking, abduction, or other criminal activities.
Despite the passage of years, the numbers remain largely unchanged, prompting persistent questions about the fate of those who are never traced, and the systemic challenges faced in locating them.