No rise in missing cases in the capital; public urged not to fall for paid rumours: Delhi Police
New Delhi: Delhi Police on Friday issued a stern warning against individuals using paid promotions to create “hype” around reports of missing girls, saying that any attempt to generate panic for monetary gain would not be tolerated.
The warning came after the police were forced to address a surge of public concern following a PTI report citing official Delhi Police data.
What did the PTI report say?
The report stated that 807 people had gone missing in Delhi between 1 and 15 January, averaging 54 cases a day. Of these, 509 were women and girls and 298 were men. The figures included 191 minors and 616 adults.
In a post on X, the Delhi Police said that investigations had revealed the “hype around the surge in missing girls” was being pushed through paid promotion. “Creating panic for monetary gains won’t be tolerated, and we’ll take strict action against such individuals,” the post said.
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।
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— Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) February 5, 2026
The police have previously sought to reassure the public, saying there was “no cause for panic or fear” as the figures actually represented a decline compared with the same period in previous years. However, they have not provided updated data to counter the figures cited in the PTI report.
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Delhi Police emphasised that it follows an impartial and transparent crime-reporting policy. Missing person reports can be filed not only at local police stations but also online and via the Emergency Response Support System (112).
“Standard operating procedures (SOPs) are strictly followed in all missing persons cases. Immediate efforts are initiated to trace the missing individual, with cases involving children being accorded the highest priority,” the statement said.
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To ensure swift action, the police have deployed dedicated missing persons squads in all districts, while the Crime Branch’s Anti-Human Trafficking Unit handles related cases.
(Inputs from PTI)