Ashhar Alam/New Delhi
Delhi Police on Wednesday sought to defuse widespread alarm over reports of a surge in missing girls in the capital, calling the narrative “manufactured panic driven by paid promotion” and warning of strict action against those allegedly spreading fear for financial or political gain.
The clarification comes amid intense public debate over claims that 807 people went missing in the first 15 days of January, a figure that had gone viral on social media and was amplified by influencers and political leaders. Police officials said their probe has revealed evidence suggesting the figures were selectively projected and promoted as part of a publicity campaign, rather than reflecting any sudden spike in crime.
“After tracking multiple leads, we found that the hype around missing girls in Delhi was fuelled through paid promotions. Creating panic for monetary benefits will not be tolerated,” Delhi Police said in a social media post, adding that legal action would follow against those found responsible.
Sources indicated that the controversy may have originated from promotional activities linked to a film on missing children, with online speculation and viral content further magnifying the claims. As the narrative gained traction, political leaders and social media personalities echoed the figures, triggering anxiety among residents.
After following a few leads, we discovered that the hype around the surge in missing girls in Delhi is being pushed through paid promotion. Creating panic for monetary gains won't be tolerated, and we'll take strict action against such individuals.
— Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) February 6, 2026
Former Delhi chief minister and AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal described the situation as “alarming” and accused the BJP of failing to ensure safety in the national capital. His remarks intensified the political sparring around the issue.
However, Delhi Police said official data tells a different story. According to police records, 1,777 missing person cases were reported in January, a number that is lower than both the monthly average and the corresponding period last year. In 2025, the city recorded 24,508 missing cases, averaging around 2,042 cases per month.
हम यह स्पष्ट करना चाहते है कि गुमशुदगी, विशेषकर बच्चों के लापता होनें को लेकर फैलायी जा रही अफवाहों से घबराने की कोई आवश्यकता नहीं है।
— Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) February 5, 2026
विगत वर्षों की तुलना में गुमशुदगी के मामलों में वृद्धि नहीं हुई है।
दिल्ली पुलिस त्वरित जांच व कार्रवाई के साथ नागरिकों की सुरक्षा के लिए… pic.twitter.com/WjV1MCoTEM
“There is no emerging or unusual trend,” police officials said, noting that annual missing-person figures have remained broadly stable at 23,000–24,000 cases since 2016, despite Delhi’s growing population.
Police also highlighted recovery efforts, stating that around 1.8 lakh missing persons were reunited with their families between 2016 and 2025, reflecting a recovery rate of nearly 77 per cent. Initiatives such as Operation Milap, AI-based tracking tools, and online complaint systems have strengthened detection, officials said.
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At the same time, police acknowledged that unresolved cases, particularly involving women remain a concern, underscoring the need for sustained vigilance without fuelling misinformation.
“Public awareness is important,” an official said, “but spreading exaggerated or misleading data only creates fear and distracts from genuine efforts to help missing persons return home.”
