In early February 2026, alarming posts began circulating across social media platforms, claiming that hundreds of people many of them young girls had gone missing in Delhi within just a few weeks. The viral messages alleged a sharp rise in trafficking cases, triggering anxiety among parents, resident welfare associations, and community groups across the capital.
However, Delhi Police have now firmly rejected those claims, calling them misleading and driven by misinformation campaigns rather than real crime trends. Senior officials say official records show no abnormal spike in missing persons cases and warn that spreading panic through unverified data could invite strict legal action.
Delhi Police Clarify Missing Persons Data for January 2026
According to police statistics, January 2026 recorded 1,777 missing persons complaints across Delhi lower than the city’s long-term monthly average of around 2,000 cases. Officers emphasized that such figures are consistent with daily reporting patterns seen in previous months and years.
According to a senior police source, “people often assume the worst when they see raw numbers without context.” “Trend analysis is what counts, and there isn’t any anomalous increase that would point to an organized trafficking ring or abrupt spike.”
Authorities also pointed out that a large proportion of missing persons cases in Delhi typically involve minors who leave home following family disputes, students who temporarily stay with friends, or adults who travel without informing relatives. Most of these individuals, officials say, are traced within days or weeks through police tracking and coordination with local units.
Viral Social Media Claims Spark Fear Among Families
The controversy erupted after several posts and videos claimed that more than 800 people had vanished in the first 27 days of February, including over 130 children who were supposedly “untraced.” Screenshots of police data tables often without explanation or comparison to earlier months were widely reshared, fueling speculation that Delhi was witnessing an unprecedented crime wave.
Parents voiced concerns on neighborhood WhatsApp groups, schools circulated cautionary advisories, and some residents even reported reduced outdoor activity for children. Experts say this is a classic example of how partial information can rapidly escalate into public panic in the digital age.
Cybercrime specialists within the police department have since begun tracking the origin of these posts to determine whether they were exaggerated for engagement, politically motivated, or part of coordinated campaigns.
Link to Film Release Raises New Questions
Adding another layer to the debate, police officials suggested that some of the online chatter may have been amplified through paid promotions timed around the January 30 release of Mardaani 3, a crime thriller produced by Yash Raj Films that centers on missing children and trafficking networks.
Investigators noted that keywords and themes from the movie appeared repeatedly in viral posts, leading them to suspect opportunistic marketing tactics by third-party social media accounts seeking to ride public interest in the film’s subject matter.
Yash Raj Films, however, strongly denied any involvement in spreading such content. In a statement, the studio called the allegations “baseless” and said it had no connection with any campaigns designed to stir fear or circulate misleading statistics.
Police Warn of Action Against Misinformation Spreaders
Delhi Police have taken a firm stance against what they describe as “panic-mongering.” Officials reminded the public that spreading unverified or manipulated data especially when it creates fear—can fall under cybercrime and public order laws.
An officer stated, “We respect citizens’ right to be concerned about safety, especially when it involves children.” However, disseminating inflated or inaccurate statements just wastes money and creates needless anxiety.
The force has urged residents to rely on official briefings, verified news sources, and government portals for crime statistics rather than anonymous posts or forwarded messages.
Round-the-Clock Efforts to Trace Missing Persons
Despite rejecting claims of a sudden spike, police reiterated that every missing persons complaint is treated seriously. Dedicated units across districts work with railway authorities, shelter homes, NGOs, and interstate police networks to locate individuals quickly.
Officers also highlighted improvements in technology, including facial recognition systems, centralized databases, and real-time coordination with child welfare committees, which have helped increase recovery rates over the past few years.
Community policing programs and school outreach initiatives are also being expanded to educate families on early reporting, digital safety, and precautions for children traveling alone.
Public Reaction and the Larger Debate on Online Information
The episode has reignited discussion about the responsibility of influencers, content creators, and everyday users in sharing sensitive information online. Media analysts say emotionally charged topics such as child safety often spread faster than nuanced explanations, making them especially vulnerable to distortion.
Civil society groups have welcomed the police clarification but stress the importance of transparency and regular data updates to counter rumors before they gain traction.
“Authorities must communicate clearly and frequently,” said a Delhi-based child rights activist. “Misinformation has much less space to proliferate when official figures are readily available.”
What Citizens Should Do If Someone Goes Missing
Delhi Police advise families to immediately file a missing persons report at the nearest police station or online portal without waiting 24 hours, especially in cases involving children. Providing recent photographs, phone numbers, and travel details can significantly speed up searches.
Residents are also encouraged to verify alarming claims before forwarding them and to check official police social media handles or press briefings for accurate updates.
While social media rumors painted a grim picture of a sudden rise in missing girls cases in Delhi, police data suggests otherwise. Officials insist that January’s numbers remain within normal limits and that no extraordinary surge has been detected. As investigations continue into the origins of the viral posts, authorities are calling for calm, caution, and reliance on verified information.
In an era where headlines can be shaped in seconds by a single post, the Delhi Police message is clear: stay alert, but don’t let misinformation dictate fear.
