Delhi Missing People 2026 Report: Is There Really a Kidnapping Gang

There has been a lot of panic on social media recently about people going missing in Delhi. Reports claimed that over 800 people went missing in just the first two weeks of January 2026. This number scared many families and led to questions about safety in the national capital.

However, the Delhi Police has released official data to clarify the situation. They stated that there is no need to panic and that the situation is under control.

This article explains exactly what is happening, the real numbers for 2026, and what the police are doing to find these missing individuals.

What is the “800 Missing” Rumor?

In early February 2026, news reports surfaced stating that 807 people were reported missing in Delhi between January 1 and January 15, 2026.

• Out of these, 509 were women and girls.
• 191 were children (minors).

These numbers circulated quickly on platforms like WhatsApp and X (formerly Twitter). People began to worry that a new gang or kidnapping ring was active in the city. Former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also raised concerns, asking why Delhi has become “unsafe.”

Delhi Police Response: The Real Statistics

The Delhi Police quickly responded to these fears. They explained that while the number 807 is correct, it does not mean crime has suddenly increased. In fact, the total missing cases in January 2026 are lower than in previous years.

Here is the official breakdown:

• January 2026 Total: A total of 1,777 missing reports were filed for the whole month.
• Comparison: This is less than January 2025 (1,786 cases) and January 2024.
• Average: On average, about 2,000 missing reports are filed in Delhi every month. The figure for January 2026 is actually below this average.

Police officials emphasized that no organized gang is involved in these disappearances.

Why Are the Numbers So High?

You might wonder, why are 1,777 people reported missing in a single month if there is no gang? The police gave a few reasons:

1. Easy Reporting: Delhi citizens can now report missing persons instantly via mobile apps and online portals.
2. Short-Term Cases: Many reports are for “short-term” absences. For example, if a child is late from school or a teenager’s phone is switched off for a few hours, anxious parents file a report immediately. These people are often found within hours, but the “missing” report remains in the statistics until formally closed.
3. Family Disputes: Many cases involve teenagers eloping or adults leaving home due to family fights, not kidnappings.

Update on Missing Children and Women

The most concerning part of the data is about children. In the first half of January 2026, 191 minors were reported missing.

• Vulnerable Group: Teenagers aged 12 to 18 years, especially girls, are the most affected group.
• Recovery: Police trace many of these children quickly. However, finding every single one takes time.

The police have stated that they give “highest priority” to cases involving children.

What Steps Are Being Taken? (Operation Milap)

To solve these cases, the Delhi Police is using several special methods in 2026:

• Operation Milap: This is a special drive to rescue missing children and reunite them with their families. It checks children’s homes and shelter homes across India.
• AI Technology: Police are using advanced Facial Recognition Systems (FRS). This software matches photos of missing kids with databases of found children across the country.
• District Squads: Every police district in Delhi now has a dedicated “Anti-Human Trafficking Unit” (AHTU) that focuses solely on finding missing persons.

Since 2016, the Delhi Police has successfully traced over 1.8 lakh (180,000) missing people, with a recovery rate of about 77%.

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