New Delhi, Feb 6 (NationPress) The Delhi Police have categorically rejected allegations of a rapid rise in missing children cases and have issued a stern warning to those disseminating false information for spreading unnecessary fear by misrepresenting facts.

This statement comes in the wake of alarming reports regarding an increase in the number of children reported missing in the capital.

Taking to the social media platform X on Thursday, the police stated, "We advise the public not to be misled by rumours regarding a sudden surge in missing children cases. In denying these claims, we also caution rumour mongers that they will face strict legal repercussions for instilling unnecessary fear through misinformation. The safety of every child is essential to the Delhi Police. We are dedicated to providing continuous service and locating missing or abducted children, reuniting them with their families as swiftly as possible."

The police have denied claims of an uptick in missing persons, asserting that official statistics reveal no significant increase and that figures have largely remained stable for almost a decade.

This clarification follows political scrutiny and public anxiety, with reports citing official Delhi Police data indicating that a total of 807 individuals were reported missing between January 1 and January 15, averaging 54 cases daily. Of these, 509 were women and girls, while 298 were men. Among the total reported missing, 191 were minors, with 616 being adults.

According to the Delhi Police, 1,777 missing persons were reported in January 2026, a figure lower than both the monthly average and comparable years.

In 2025, Delhi recorded 24,508 missing persons, averaging 2,042 cases monthly, with January 2025 alone accounting for 1,786 cases. Police records indicate that the January 2026 figure is proportionately lower and does not suggest any emerging trend.

Police data also highlighted that annual missing-person statistics have remained between 23,000 and 24,000 since 2016, despite the rapid population growth in the city.

The Delhi Police emphasized that locating missing individuals is time-sensitive and cumulative, advising against year-on-year comparisons without the necessary context.

Between 2016 and 2025, a total of 180,805 missing persons were located and reunited with their families, showcasing an impressive recovery rate of about 77%. While 85% of cases reported in 2016 have been resolved over the last nine years, 63% of the 2025 cases have already been solved within the same year, according to police.

Authorities credited these successful recoveries to various efforts, including initiatives like Operation Milap and advanced technology such as AI-based facial recognition systems.