Amid reports of 807 people missing in Delhi in just 15 days of 2026, the data shared by the Delhi Police showed that the number of people who are reported missing in the city has remained more or less constant in nearly ten years. Since 2016, the annual number of missing persons in Delhi has remained between 23,000 and 24,000 and the data shows there has been no sharp rise despite rapid population growth and increasing urban density. The beginning of 2026 has seen a dip in monthly figures of those missing in Delhi, reports TOI's Raj Shekhar Jha. While historical data shows an average of around 2,000 people reported missing each month, January this year recorded 1,777 cases.
The data comes at a time when reports of the disappearance of 807 people from Delhi in just 15 days, an average of nearly 54 people every day has surfaced, which has raised serious questions about public safety and policing in the city. Delhi Police on Thursday said there has been no significant increase in missing person cases in the national capital, even as the number of reported cases stood at 1,777 for the month of January.
On Wednesday, former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal flagged the issue, citing media reports on the missing cases during the first 15 days of 2026 and questioning the city’s safety.
“The safety of people in the nation’s capital has been left to the mercy of God. The BJP has complete power at every level in Delhi, yet why has Delhi become so unsafe?” he said in a post on X.
However, Delhi Police data shows that since 2016, a total of 1,80,805 missing persons have been traced and reunited with their families, reflecting a recovery rate of about 77 per cent. Delhi police said the absence of an upward trend indicates the issue has not escalated over the years, though every disappearance remains a matter of concern.
ALSO READ: 509 women, 191 minors disappeared in Delhi in just first two weeks of 2026: Why are so many people missing in the capital?
Police attributed this performance to initiatives such as ‘Operation Milap’, which focuses on rescuing and rehabilitating missing children and adults. The data also indicates a shift towards more technology-driven policing. High-accuracy automated facial recognition systems and artificial intelligence tools are assisting officers in tracing missing individuals. The Delhi Police’s Asadharan Karya Puraskar, awarded to personnel who successfully trace a large number of missing children, has also contributed to improved outcomes.
Joint CP (crime) Surendra Kumar said that once a case is reported, police teams begin checking shelter homes, bus stands, and even locations in other states based on available leads. However, the data also highlights areas of concern. The number of females listed as ‘yet to be traced’ has more than tripled, rising from 1,606 in 2016 to 5,576 in 2025. Last year, of the 24,508 people reported missing, 15,421 were traced, leaving 9,087 cases unresolved.
ALSO READ: 800 people go missing in Delhi: How to track your loved ones who have disappeared in the capital? Here's a complete guide
Police said that in many instances, the return of individuals who leave home voluntarily or elope is either not reported or reported after a significant delay. In cases involving minors who elope, families often inform authorities only after the individuals turn 18 to avoid legal consequences.
However, the data also highlights concerns, with the number of females yet to be traced rising from 1,606 in 2016 to 5,576 in 2025. In 2025, 9,087 out of 24,508 missing cases remained unresolved. In 2020, the number of missing cases was the lowest at 17,944, due to pandemic-related lockdowns.
(With inputs from TOI and agencies)
The data comes at a time when reports of the disappearance of 807 people from Delhi in just 15 days, an average of nearly 54 people every day has surfaced, which has raised serious questions about public safety and policing in the city. Delhi Police on Thursday said there has been no significant increase in missing person cases in the national capital, even as the number of reported cases stood at 1,777 for the month of January.
On Wednesday, former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal flagged the issue, citing media reports on the missing cases during the first 15 days of 2026 and questioning the city’s safety.
“The safety of people in the nation’s capital has been left to the mercy of God. The BJP has complete power at every level in Delhi, yet why has Delhi become so unsafe?” he said in a post on X.
However, Delhi Police data shows that since 2016, a total of 1,80,805 missing persons have been traced and reunited with their families, reflecting a recovery rate of about 77 per cent. Delhi police said the absence of an upward trend indicates the issue has not escalated over the years, though every disappearance remains a matter of concern.
ALSO READ: 509 women, 191 minors disappeared in Delhi in just first two weeks of 2026: Why are so many people missing in the capital?
Operation Milap, AI tools played role
Since 2016, Delhi Police has traced 180,805 people and reunited them with their families, reflecting a cumulative recovery rate of about 77%. Police attributed the recovery rate to initiatives such as Operation Milap and the use of technology, including AI-based facial recognition tools. This means that nearly eight out of every 10 missing persons cases are successfully resolved through the city’s recovery system involving local police stations, anti-human trafficking units, and community networks. "While any disappearance is a concern, this lack of an upward trajectory indicates that the challenge, though persistent, has not spiralled out of control," Devesh Srivastava, special CP (crime), told TOI.Police attributed this performance to initiatives such as ‘Operation Milap’, which focuses on rescuing and rehabilitating missing children and adults. The data also indicates a shift towards more technology-driven policing. High-accuracy automated facial recognition systems and artificial intelligence tools are assisting officers in tracing missing individuals. The Delhi Police’s Asadharan Karya Puraskar, awarded to personnel who successfully trace a large number of missing children, has also contributed to improved outcomes.
Joint CP (crime) Surendra Kumar said that once a case is reported, police teams begin checking shelter homes, bus stands, and even locations in other states based on available leads. However, the data also highlights areas of concern. The number of females listed as ‘yet to be traced’ has more than tripled, rising from 1,606 in 2016 to 5,576 in 2025. Last year, of the 24,508 people reported missing, 15,421 were traced, leaving 9,087 cases unresolved.
ALSO READ: 800 people go missing in Delhi: How to track your loved ones who have disappeared in the capital? Here's a complete guide
Police said that in many instances, the return of individuals who leave home voluntarily or elope is either not reported or reported after a significant delay. In cases involving minors who elope, families often inform authorities only after the individuals turn 18 to avoid legal consequences.
However, the data also highlights concerns, with the number of females yet to be traced rising from 1,606 in 2016 to 5,576 in 2025. In 2025, 9,087 out of 24,508 missing cases remained unresolved. In 2020, the number of missing cases was the lowest at 17,944, due to pandemic-related lockdowns.
(With inputs from TOI and agencies)
