Over 800 People Missing in Delhi in First 27 Days of 2026, 137 Children Still Untraced
More than 800 individuals were reported missing in Delhi during the first 27 days of 2026, according to data released by the Delhi Police. This highlights ongoing concerns regarding missing persons cases in the national capital. The figures reveal that 807 people went missing between January 1 and January 27, with only 235 of them traced so far, leaving 572 individuals unaccounted for.
On average, nearly 27 people went missing each day during this period, while approximately nine individuals were traced daily. A troubling aspect of these statistics is the significant number of missing children. Among the 191 minors reported missing in the first 27 days of the year, only 48 have been located, leaving 137 still missing. The data shows a sharp gender disparity, with 120 of the untraced children being girls.
Among adults, 616 individuals were reported missing in the same period. The police managed to trace 181 adults, including 90 men and 91 women, while 435 remain unaccounted for.
Examining the age distribution among missing children reveals a distressing situation. In the 0–8 years age group, nine children were reported missing in early 2026, of whom three have been located, while efforts continue to find the remaining six. In contrast, 368 children in this age group went missing in 2025, with 149 traced and 219 still unaccounted for.
In the 8–12-year age group, 13 children were reported missing in the first 27 days of 2026, with only three traced and ten still missing. The highest number of cases involves adolescents aged 12–18 years, with 169 children reported missing during this timeframe. Of these, 48 have been located, while 121 remain untraced.
Police records and historical data from sources such as the Zonal Integrated Police Network (ZIPNET) indicate that this issue has persisted for many years. Between 2015 and 2025, thousands of missing cases were registered in Delhi, many of which remain unresolved. Over the past 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 emphasize the seriousness of this 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—nearly 11 percent—remain unaccounted for.
Records from the Delhi Police also indicate a high proportion of adolescent girls among missing minors, raising concerns that these cases may not merely be routine. Experts have frequently warned that such incidents could involve risks such as trafficking, abduction, or other criminal activities.
Despite the passage of time, the overall numbers show little improvement, prompting renewed questions about the fate of those who are never found and the systemic challenges faced by authorities in locating missing persons in the capital.
