Delhi residents are anxious and understandably so. According to reports, more than 800 people disappeared in Delhi in the first two weeks of January 2026 alone. 54 people, on average, went missing in the city every day. The figures were even more disturbing when the situation was analysed: out of the 807 missing, 509 were women or girls, almost two, thirds. Among them, 191 were children. Most are teenage girls. The fact that one cannot help but get worried about the safety of Delhi is evident.
This is not a problem that has just been created. Every year the figures grow higher. The city reported 24, 508 missing, person cases in 2025. Again, women accounted for more than 60 percent of that figure. Look at the last ten years, and the total becomes huge over 230, 000 people have been reported missing since 2016. Of these, the police have managed to locate and bring back around 180, 000 to their families. Nevertheless, about 52, 000 people have never returned.
Of course, many of those who were missing adults come back eventually, some even after voluntarily leaving home. However, the undeniable fact is that there are still thousands of women and children whose whereabouts are unknown. That is the reason why you can hear people families, activists, politicians demanding the police to take more
Public Awareness and Personal Safety
Amid these concerns, authorities and experts stress the importance of public awareness and personal vigilance. Residents are advised to stay alert, avoid sharing personal details with strangers, keep trusted contacts informed of their whereabouts, and encourage children and young adults to seek help immediately if they feel unsafe. Prompt reporting of missing cases, community cooperation, and responsible awareness can play a crucial role in prevention. In a city as large and fast-moving as Delhi, being cautious, aware, and proactive remains one of the strongest safeguards.