Delhi Police on Wednesday, 9 September 2026, safely recovered three girls — including two minors aged 17 and 13 — who had gone missing from Gangnahar in Haridwar, tracing them to a hotel on Arakashan Road in the Paharganj area of New Delhi. The recovery followed a coordinated inter-state search operation launched within hours of a missing persons complaint.

How the FIR Was Filed and the Search Began

An FIR numbered 349/2026 under Section 140(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was registered at Police Station Gangnahar, Haridwar, on 8 September, following a complaint about the disappearance of the three girls. The case details were promptly shared with the Station House Officer (SHO) of Police Station Nabi Karim in Delhi, given the cross-state nature of the matter.

A dedicated search team was constituted under the supervision of Inspector/SHO Nabi Karim and the overall oversight of the ACP, Paharganj. The team comprised Sub-Inspector Neeraj Rathi, Head Constable Jagsoran, Constable Amit, and Woman Constable Supriya.

Technical Surveillance and Ground Search

Acting on location inputs shared by Roorkee Police, the team conducted an extensive search across the Arakashan Road and Paharganj localities. Photographs of the girls were circulated among local residents and hotel staff, and multiple hotels in the area were physically checked.

Investigators also analysed mobile tower location data and IP-based inputs to narrow the search perimeter. Technical surveillance ultimately enabled the team to zero in on Hotel K.M. International on Arakashan Road, where all three girls were found safe.

What the Girls Told Police

According to preliminary interaction with the girls, they had allegedly left home voluntarily to escape family pressure related to marriage. They reportedly told police they wished to avoid being married off, explore employment opportunities in Delhi, and earn money independently. The girls had reached Delhi and checked into the Paharganj hotel on their own, according to police.

The recovered girls were identified — by initials in line with standard practice for minors — as S, born 10 September 2007 (aged approximately 18); S, born 1 January 2009 (aged approximately 17); and N, born 1 January 2013 (aged approximately 13). Notably, the source documentation lists one girl as approximately 18, though the original complaint categorised the group as including two minors.

Handover and Further Legal Action

After completion of all necessary formalities, the three girls were handed over to officials of Police Station Gangnahar for further legal proceedings under Uttarakhand jurisdiction. Investigation and legal action are ongoing, according to police.

This case underscores the growing use of inter-state technical coordination — including mobile tower triangulation and IP tracking — by Delhi Police to resolve missing-persons cases swiftly. Further developments in the legal proceedings are expected from Uttarakhand Police.