Bengaluru Tops Karnataka in Missing Children Cases Over Three Years
Bengaluru has recorded the highest number of missing children cases in Karnataka over the past three years, with police data revealing 3,268 reported incidents. This concerning statistic highlights a significant child safety issue in the state's capital city, where urban lifestyle factors and population density appear to contribute to the problem.
Gender Disparity in Missing Children Reports
Police data indicates a striking gender imbalance in these cases, with girls constituting nearly three-fourths of all reported missing children. Between January 2023 and November 15, 2025, a total of 9,639 children went missing across Karnataka. Of these, 6,981 (72%) were girls, while 2,748 were boys.
Officials emphasize that most of these incidents do not involve actual kidnappings. Under Supreme Court guidelines, police must register all missing minor cases as kidnappings, but authorities estimate that only 2% to 3% involve criminal elements such as ransom demands, sexual assault, or property disputes.
Understanding the Root Causes
Police officials attribute Bengaluru's higher numbers to multiple factors. "Being the capital of the state, Bengaluru has a larger population, and this is why the number is higher here," explained a senior police officer. "Cases mostly involve elopement and running away from home as minors are exposed to a modern environment."
The officer further noted that mobile phone usage and contemporary lifestyle influences play a significant role. "The lifestyle, where mobile phones have become part of everyone's life, influences minors to take steps like elopement or running away. We saw many cases where boys and girls, scolded by parents or guardians for overusing mobile phones, ran away from home."
Recovery Rates and Investigation Challenges
Despite the alarming numbers, police have achieved substantial success in tracing missing children. Overall, authorities have traced 86% of missing girls cases and 90% of missing boys cases, reuniting them with their families.
However, investigators face different challenges depending on the nature of the case. Kidnapping cases create immense pressure to ensure victim safety, as demonstrated by the August Bengaluru case where a 13-year-old boy kidnapped for ransom was killed, and the October Mysuru case involving a 9-year-old kidnapping and rape victim.
Elopement and runaway cases present different investigative hurdles. "Here, the minors will do everything to conceal themselves," explained an officer. "They stop using phones, never contact family or friends, travel to faraway places, and so on. However, we can trace them with the help of technology like CCTV footage."
Gender Differences in Reporting Patterns
Police observe that families report missing girls much faster than missing boys. "When parents or guardians find their daughter missing, they will not hesitate to approach the police because they want to ensure the safety of the missing girl," noted an officer. "Also, in elopement cases, it will be the girl's family who will come to the police first. When a boy runs away, the family will not act hastily. Also, boys who run away on their own mostly return home, unlike girls."
New Initiatives to Address the Problem
To enhance investigation efficiency, Director-General and Inspector-General of Police MA Saleem announced the formation of District Missing Person Units (DMPUs) across all districts and cities. These specialized units will be responsible for:
- Collection, collation, analysis, and review of data relating to missing children and persons
- Acting as nodal coordination units for inter-district, inter-state, and inter-agency communication
- Overseeing missing person squads at every police station
Each police station will now have a dedicated missing person squad led by a sub-inspector with four constables or head constables, including women police officers.
Statistical Breakdown by Year
The detailed year-wise data reveals consistent patterns:
- 2023: 3,039 missing children reported (2,131 girls, 908 boys) with 2,962 traced (2,089 girls, 873 boys)
- 2024: 3,411 missing children reported (2,436 girls, 975 boys) with 3,266 traced (2,336 girls, 930 boys)
- 2025 (up to Nov 15): 3,189 missing children reported (2,324 girls, 865 boys) with 2,317 traced (1,641 girls, 676 boys)
Saleem acknowledged the challenges in some cases: "The police department makes sincere efforts to trace all missing minor cases. Majority of cases are being traced. Some cases are difficult due to the lapse of time, as the physical appearance of minors changes due to growth spurts."
This comprehensive data underscores the need for continued vigilance, improved reporting mechanisms, and enhanced investigative approaches to address the complex issue of missing children in urban centers like Bengaluru.
