Delhi Police dismiss claims of surge in missing girls, say panic being fuelled by paid social media campaigns
PTC Web Desk: The Delhi Police on Friday strongly refuted claims circulating on social media about a sharp rise in cases of missing girls in the national capital, stating that the narrative is being deliberately amplified through paid promotions to create panic for financial gain.
In an official statement, the police said investigations into the viral posts revealed organised attempts to sensationalise selective data. “After tracking multiple leads, it has emerged that the hype around missing girls in Delhi is being artificially pushed through sponsored content. Spreading fear and misinformation for monetary benefit will not be tolerated, and strict legal action will be taken against those involved,” the police said.
January data shows no spike
Contrary to online claims, official police data shows that January 2026 recorded 1,777 missing-person reports, a figure that is lower than the monthly average seen over the past two years.
Delhi Police statistics indicate that 24,893 persons were reported missing in 2024, while 24,508 cases were recorded in 2025, placing the January 2026 numbers well within a declining trend.
The clarification follows public concern triggered by selective figures from the first half of January, which suggested that an average of 54 persons were reported missing per day. Police officials stressed that such figures, when viewed without context, can be misleading.
Addressing public anxiety, the Delhi Police explained that missing-person data includes short-term and precautionary reports, such as temporary loss of contact or delays in returning home.
“These reports do not necessarily indicate long-term disappearance,” officials said, adding that detection rates improve as investigations progress. Many individuals are traced within hours or days, but their cases continue to reflect in official data when families fail to formally update the police.
The police also highlighted that Delhi follows an online and app-based system for registering missing-person reports, making it easier for citizens to file complaints in situations such as children returning late from school or individuals being temporarily unreachable.
“Several cases are resolved quickly, but they remain in records as parents or relatives often do not inform the police once the person is found,” the statement said.
Delhi’s missing person rate 'lower than global cities'
The Delhi Police also cited comparative international data to put the issue in perspective. According to official estimates, the city’s missing-person rate stands at around 122 per 100,000 population, which is significantly lower than figures reported in major global regions.
In comparison, the rate in London and the wider UK is around 254 per 100,000, while the United States reports approximately 138 cases per 100,000 people, as per earlier reports.
Warning against misinformation
The police reiterated their warning against spreading unverified or exaggerated claims on social media, particularly when driven by commercial motives. Officials urged citizens to rely on verified information and avoid sharing posts that could cause unnecessary alarm.
- With inputs from agencies
