807 kidnappings in 15 days? What is happening in Delhi and is it really just a PR stunt

Unless you have consciously logged out of the internet, you have probably seen the alarming messages. Screenshots. Forwarded texts. Voice notes in family WhatsApp groups warning that children and women are disappearing across Delhi at a terrifying pace.

The number being circulated? 807 missing persons in just the first 15 days of 2026. That works out to roughly 54 people every single day.

It sounds dystopian. But here is where things need context, not panic.



Yes, 807 missing person cases were registered by the Delhi Police between 1 and 15 January 2026. This is not fabricated data. It is confirmed by official records.

However, the raw number does not tell the full story.

Delhi is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, with an estimated population nearing two crore. In a city of that size, missing person reports are unfortunately a regular occurrence.

In fact, if you zoom out and look at the past five years, the average number of daily missing persons cases ranges between 65 and 68. That means the current figure of 54 per day is slightly lower than the recent yearly average.

So while 807 in 15 days sounds dramatic, it does not indicate a sudden spike.

This part is true and has been true for years.

Delhi Police data shows that roughly 60 per cent of missing persons annually are women. The pattern appears to be continuing in 2026. Of the 807 cases registered in the first half of January, 509 were women and 298 were men.

That statistic understandably raises concerns. However, missing does not automatically mean kidnapped or trafficked.



Teenagers between the ages of 12 and 18 consistently top the list of missing persons in Delhi.

But experts caution against jumping to worst-case conclusions. Adolescence is often turbulent. Some teenagers leave home due to academic stress. Some elope. Others go out with friends without informing their families. Until they are located, they remain officially classified as missing.

The term covers a wide spectrum of situations, from serious criminal cases to domestic disputes and runaway episodes.

Here is the part that rarely trends online.

Most missing individuals are eventually traced.

Between 2021 and 2025, over 25,500 children aged 12 to 18 were reported missing in Delhi. Of these, approximately 21,500 were located. Around 4,000 remained untraced.

While any untraced case is concerning, the majority do result in reunification. The same pattern applies to other age groups as well.



This is where the internet took a cinematic turn.

As discussions around the 807 cases intensified, some began suggesting that the reports were part of a promotional campaign for the film Mardaani 3, which focuses on crimes involving missing children.

The timing of the film’s release and the viral posts fuelled speculation that the numbers were being exaggerated for publicity.

Yash Raj Films, the studio behind the movie, publicly denied any such strategy. A spokesperson stated that the production house operates on ethical and transparent principles and does not engage in sensational publicity tactics.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police described the viral messaging around missing girls as rumours, alleging that hype was being created through paid promotions. However, when questioned about evidence supporting that claim, there was no detailed response at the time of reporting.



The verified facts are straightforward. 807 missing person cases were registered in 15 days. Women form a higher proportion of these cases. Teenagers are the most frequently reported age group. Most missing individuals are eventually found.

There is no data showing an unusual spike. There is no confirmed evidence linking the reports to a film promotion.

In moments like this, numbers can feel overwhelming. But context matters. Panic spreads faster than verified information.

Stay alert. Share responsibly. And before forwarding the next alarming message, check whether it comes with facts or just fear.