The issue of missing persons in Delhi has once again raised serious concerns about public safety and law enforcement effectiveness. According to official police data, more than 800 people were reported missing in the national capital within the first 15 days of January 2026. This alarming figure translates to over 50 missing persons every single day, exposing the scale and urgency of the problem.
Missing Persons in Delhi: What the Data Reveals
The latest data from Delhi Police shows that 807 individuals have been reported missing in the national capital in the first 15 days of January 2026, averaging 54 missing persons per day. Of these, 509 were women and girls, and 191 were minors — including 169 teenagers — highlighting a significant and persistent public safety challenge.
Adults remain the most affected category among missing persons. In the first half of January alone, 616 adults were reported missing, including 363 women and 253 men. Law enforcement authorities were able to locate181 individuals in total—90 men and 91 women—leaving 435 persons still untraced, as reflected in the records.
For the year 2025, Delhi witnessed 24,508 reports of missing persons. Of these, women constituted more than 60 per cent, amounting to 14,870 cases, while 9,638 cases involved men. Despite police efforts resulting in the tracing of 15,421 individuals, 9,087 cases remain pending and unresolved, according to the available data.
What is more concerning is that a majority of these cases involve women and minors, making it not just a law-and-order issue but a grave human rights and child protection concern.
These figures align with broader data indicating that Delhi has registered over 2,32,000 missing person cases in the past decade, with tens of thousands of cases continuing to remain unresolved.
Legal Duty of Police in Missing Person Cases
Under Indian law, a missing person complaint is not a casual entry—it triggers mandatory legal obligations.
Registration of FIR and Police Accountability
As per settled legal position and Supreme Court guidelines, delay in registering an FIR in missing person cases—especially involving children—is illegal.
Key legal principles:
- Immediate entry in the Daily Diary (DD)
- Mandatory FIR if a cognizable offence is suspected
- No waiting period is permitted for missing children or women
Failure to act promptly may amount to dereliction of duty and can be challenged before the High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution.
When Missing Becomes a Serious Criminal Offence
A missing person case often masks more serious crimes under substantive criminal law.
Relevant Penal Provisions: Depending on facts, the following offences may be attracted:
- Kidnapping and abduction (Sections relating to unlawful taking or detention of a person, especially minors)
- Human trafficking, which is a grave, non-bailable offence
- Illegal confinement, forced labour, or sexual exploitation
The law treats cases involving minors and women with higher sensitivity and stricter punishment, recognising their increased vulnerability.
Protection of Missing Children: Special Legal Safeguards
Supreme Court jurisprudence in Bachpan Bachao Andolan v. Union of India mandates swift FIR registration in missing children cases, ensuring that investigative processes such as detention orders, tracking, and rescue measures are promptly activated.
Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015
Under this Act:
- A missing child is legally presumed to be a “child in need of care and protection”
- Police must immediately inform the Child Welfare Committee (CWC)
- The focus is not only investigation but also rehabilitation and safety
POCSO Act, 2012
If there is any indication of sexual exploitation:
- Reporting becomes mandatory
- Investigation must follow child-friendly procedures
- Stringent punishment provisions apply
Why Women and Girls Are at Greater Risk
The disproportionate number of women and girls among missing persons highlights deeper issues:
- Trafficking networks operating across state borders
- Domestic violence and forced migration
- Lack of timely police response in early hours of disappearance
These cases demand gender-sensitive policing and coordinated action between law enforcement, NGOs, and legal services authorities.
Challenges in Investigation and Recovery
Despite existing laws and police standing orders, several challenges persist:
Delays or deficiencies in FIR registration and data management often obstruct timely investigations, particularly in cases involving inter-state movement and overlapping police jurisdictions.
Disproportionate vulnerability of women and girls remains a serious concern, as they form a significant share of missing persons and face heightened risks of trafficking, sexual exploitation, forced labour, and domestic violence.
Post-recovery coordination and rehabilitation mechanisms require strengthening. Once a missing individual is traced, meaningful collaboration with Child Welfare Committees, District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs), and civil society organisations is crucial to ensure safe reintegration, psychological support, and access to appropriate legal remedies.
Within the Delhi framework, initiatives such as Operation Milap illustrate that sustained, intelligence-driven, and coordinated police efforts can lead to successful tracing and family reunification. A continued focus on such specialised operations—augmented by technological tools and community participation—remains essential for long-term effectiveness.
Role of Legal Intervention and Judicial Remedies
Families of missing persons are not without remedies.
Legal options include:
- Filing representations before senior police officials
- Approaching the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA)
- Filing writ petitions seeking court-monitored investigation
- Seeking transfer of investigation in cases of police inaction
Legal intervention often acts as a catalyst for faster and more serious investigation.
Legal Practitioner’s Perspective: What Needs to Change
From a legal standpoint, the rising number of missing persons in Delhi calls for:
- Strengthening enforcement of Standing Orders and Supreme Court mandates for immediate FIR registration and investigation in missing person cases.
- Mandatory use of national and state tracking platforms such as ZIPNET and TracktheMissingChild portal, with periodic public reporting on outcomes.
- Enhanced victim protection through district-level multi-disciplinary committees involving police, juvenile justice boards, CWCs, and legal aid services.
- Legal literacy campaigns to educate families on their rights under CrPC, BNS/IPC, POCSO, and the Juvenile Justice Act, including mechanisms for grievance redressal.
The law is robust, but implementation remains the real challenge.
The rising incidence of missing persons in Delhi — especially involving women and minors — is not merely a criminological statistic but a legal and social imperative requiring decisive action. While the law provides a robust framework, its effectiveness hinges on implementation fidelity, cross-agency coordination, and protection-centric approaches.
For practitioner, this issue underscores the importance of legal vigilance, rights-based advocacy, and public awareness. Timely legal action can often make the difference between recovery and lifelong loss.
This article written by an Advocate practising criminal law and handling missing person, kidnapping, and child protection matters in Delhi. For legal guidance or case-specific assistance, professional consultation is advised.
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