Synopsis: Delhi reported 807 missing persons between January 1 and 15, 2026, with women and girls accounting for nearly two-thirds of the cases, according to official police data. Minors formed a major share, including 191 children, most of them teenagers. 235 people have been traced so far still 572 remain untraceable. The figures circulated widely on social media, triggering public concern and behavioural changes among residents. However, annual records show the capital averaged more than 2,000 missing persons a month in 2025.
- Key Takeaways on Delhi Missing Persons Data January 2026
- Public Anxiety Grows After Data Circulates
- Breakdown of January 1–15, 2026 Cases
- Adults Form Largest Category
- How the Numbers Compare With Previous Years
- Nationwide Trends Add to Concern
- Public Reactions Highlight Safety Fears
- What the Data Signals for Delhi Residents
- Beyond Statistics: The Fragile Illusion of Security
- The Spiritual Search: Returning to the Eternal Home
- FAQs on Delhi Missing Persons January 2026 Data
Nationwide kidnapping and abduction cases have also risen by 3 per cent, according to National Crime Records Bureau data.
Key Takeaways on Delhi Missing Persons Data January 2026
- 807 people were reported missing in Delhi from January 1–15, 2026
- Women and girls accounted for 509 cases
- Minors formed 191 cases, most of them teenagers
- 235 people were traced; 572 remained untraced
- Delhi averaged about 2,070 missing persons monthly in 2025
- NCRB data showed a 3 per cent rise in national kidnapping cases
Public Anxiety Grows After Data Circulates
As reports of missing persons spread across social media platforms, residents in several parts of Delhi expressed growing concern over safety.
Swati B., a 38-year-old corporate professional based in Gurugram, said she came across repeated posts about people going missing in the capital, prompting her to contact family members living there.
“I called them up immediately. The fear got to my head, I couldn’t think about anything else,” she said.
In south-eastern Delhi’s Okhla, some single women reportedly changed their phone wallpapers to emergency helpline numbers. Sheena Khan, a 27-year-old lawyer who commutes regularly, said the reports made her more conscious about personal safety.
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She saved the helpline numbers of Delhi Police, NCB and women wing aa her phone’s wallpaper and further said “I have a demanding role which often necessitates me leaving after dark. This news made me feel conscious about my safety”.
“I did not want to be caught in a situation of emergency and panic over help,” she added.
A paying guest accommodation owner in the CR Park area also cautioned women residents to take extra precautions when returning late from work.
Breakdown of January 1–15, 2026 Cases
According to Delhi Police data, 807 people were reported missing during the first 15 days of 2026, averaging about 54 cases a day.
Of the total:
- 509 were women and girls
- 298 were men
Police have traced 235 individuals so far, while 572 people remain unaccounted for.
Minors accounted for 191 of the total missing cases, a detail highlighted in a PTI report.
Among these minors:
- 146 were girls
- 45 were boys
Teenagers formed the bulk of missing children, with 169 adolescents reported missing:
- 138 girls
- 31 boys
Police data indicated that nearly 71 per cent of these teenage cases remain unresolved.
In younger age groups:
- 13 children aged eight to 12 went missing, including eight boys and five girls
- Nine children below eight years were also reported missing
Only six children from these two groups have been traced so far, the report said.
Adults Form Largest Category
Adults continued to make up the largest group of missing persons in Delhi during the same period.
Police records showed:
- 616 adults were reported missing
- 363 women
- 253 men
Authorities traced 181 adults, while 435 adult cases remain pending.
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Police officials said efforts to locate missing persons are ongoing, with special focus on cases involving women and children.
How the Numbers Compare With Previous Years
Although the January 2026 figures triggered concern, past records indicate consistently high numbers in the capital.
In January of earlier years:
- 1,420 people were reported missing last year
- 1,602 in 2024
- 2,432 in 2023
- 1,180 in 2022
Annual data available on Delhi Police’s website showed:
- 24,843 people went missing in 2025, averaging about 2,070 a month
- 21,696 in 2024
- 25,088 in 2023
- 21,739 in 2022
A decade-long analysis cited in police records stated that nearly 2.3 lakh people have gone missing in Delhi over the past 10 years, with around 52,000 cases still unresolved.
Outlook reported that it reached out to Delhi Police seeking clarity on the reasons behind the growing fear, but did not receive a response. The publication said the story would be updated if and when a response is received.
Nationwide Trends Add to Concern
Beyond Delhi, national crime figures also reflected an upward movement in related offences.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau, kidnapping and abduction cases across India have risen by 3 per cent. The numbers increased from:
- 101,707 in 2021
- 107,588 in 2022
- 113,564 in 2023
The NCRB data was cited alongside Delhi’s local figures as part of the broader context.
Public Reactions Highlight Safety Fears
Residents interviewed said the circulation of data heightened daily anxieties, particularly among women.
Swati B. said that even if the figure of 807 missing people was not extraordinary, it did not lessen concern.
“Even if the figure of 807 missing people is not extraordinary, that doesn’t mean it isn’t dangerous. In fact, it makes it worse if no action is being taken,” she said.
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She added that the fear appeared stronger among women and affected daily routines and peace of mind.
What the Data Signals for Delhi Residents
The January 2026 figures, combined with long-term trends, show that missing persons cases remain a persistent issue in the capital. Police data and PTI reports continue to document the scale and demographic patterns of such cases, while NCRB statistics place Delhi’s numbers within a broader national rise in kidnapping and abduction incidents. Authorities said tracing efforts are ongoing, particularly for women and children, even as public concern remains high following the circulation of recent figures.
Beyond Statistics: The Fragile Illusion of Security
The report of over 800 people going missing in Delhi in just fifteen days is truly chilling. Hundreds of women and children have vanished, leaving behind families in deep agony. Despite modern surveillance and tracking apps, the unpredictability of life remains a harsh reality. But have we ever paused to ask why we are so vulnerable in this world? Is our sense of safety merely a fragile illusion? Why is it that in a world so connected, we can lose track of a human life so easily? If we cannot guarantee our physical presence in a city, how certain are we about the ultimate destination of our existence?
The Spiritual Search: Returning to the Eternal Home
Jagatguru Tatvdarshi Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj explains that these disappearances mirror a greater spiritual crisis: we are all ‘missing’ from our true home, Satlok. We are currently trapped in the 21 universes of Kaal Brahm (Satan), where suffering and separation are inevitable laws. God Kabir, our Supreme Father, has been calling out to us through the ages to bring our lost souls back to a realm of eternal safety. As the sacred verse says:
Chaaron yugon mein hum pukaaraen, kook kahya hum hel re |
Heere maanik moti barsein, ye jag chugta dhel re ||
Only the true worship granted by a Complete Saint, Who is none other than Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj, can ‘trace’ our lost souls and lead us back to immortality.
Don’t remain lost in this temporary world; discover your true identity and find your way back home today.
FAQs on Delhi Missing Persons January 2026 Data
1. How many people went missing in Delhi in early January 2026?
Delhi Police data recorded 807 missing persons between January 1 and 15, 2026.
2. How many of the missing were women and girls?
Women and girls accounted for 509 of the 807 reported cases.
3. How many minors were reported missing?
Police data and PTI reported 191 minors missing during the period.
4. How many people have been traced so far?
Police traced 235 individuals, while 572 remained unaccounted for.
5. What did NCRB data show nationally?
NCRB figures showed kidnapping and abduction cases rose 3 per cent, reaching 113,564 in 2023.
