New Delhi, February 9: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken note of a media report citing data from the Delhi Police. This data reveals that 807 individuals went missing in the capital during the first two weeks of January this year.
According to the report, among the missing, there are 191 minors and 616 adults. So far, 235 individuals have been located, while 572 remain unaccounted for. The NHRC stated that if the claims in the news report are accurate, they raise serious issues of human rights violations. Consequently, the commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary of the Delhi government and the Delhi Police Commissioner, demanding a detailed report on the matter within two weeks.
A media report dated February 5, 2026, indicated that a total of 24,508 people were reported missing in Delhi during 2025, with nearly 60 percent being women. While the police successfully located 15,421 missing individuals, 9,087 cases remain unresolved.
The report also highlights the increased risks faced by teenagers, noting that since 2016, over 5,000 teenagers, including approximately 3,500 girls, have gone missing each year.
In response, the Delhi Police have dismissed reports of a sudden rise in missing children cases. They have warned those spreading rumors of facing strict legal action for misrepresenting data and creating unnecessary panic.
The police refuted claims of any increase in missing persons, stating that official data does not show any unusual spikes and that figures have remained relatively stable for nearly a decade. Despite the rapid population growth in the national capital, annual missing persons statistics have consistently ranged between 23,000 and 24,000 since 2016.
On February 6, the Delhi Police took to the social media platform ‘X’ to appeal to citizens not to fall prey to rumors regarding a sudden increase in missing children cases. They reiterated their commitment to taking strict legal action against those spreading misinformation.
The Delhi Police further emphasized, “The safety of every child is paramount for us. We are committed to providing 24/7 service to locate missing or abducted children and reunite them with their families as quickly as possible.”
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S.C.H.