National Human Rights Commission Takes Urgent Action on Delhi's Missing Persons Epidemic
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has initiated suo motu proceedings in response to alarming reports detailing a dramatic increase in missing persons cases within the national capital. This decisive move comes after official data from the Delhi Police disclosed that a staggering 807 individuals were reported missing in just the first two weeks of January 2026.
Disturbing Statistics Reveal Vulnerable Demographics
According to the police figures, which have been widely cited in media reports, the breakdown of these cases is particularly concerning. Of the 807 missing persons, 191 were minors, highlighting a severe child safety issue. The remaining 616 were adults. While authorities have managed to trace 235 individuals during this period, this leaves a troubling 572 people still unaccounted for as of mid-January.
NHRC Issues Notices Demanding Accountability
Taking serious note of these figures, the NHRC has formally issued notices to two key officials: the Chief Secretary of the Government of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi and the Commissioner of Police, Delhi. The Commission has demanded a detailed report within two weeks, emphasizing that the contents of the news reports, if verified, indicate potential human rights violations that require immediate and thorough investigation.
The Commission stated that the situation "raises serious concerns of possible human rights violations and warrants closer scrutiny." This action was prompted by a specific media report published on February 5, 2026, which brought the scale of the crisis into sharp focus.
Historical Data Points to a Persistent and Growing Problem
The recent spike is part of a much larger, ongoing trend. The same media report referenced Delhi Police data showing that 24,508 people were reported missing in Delhi throughout the entire year of 2025. A deeply troubling aspect of this annual data is that nearly 60% of these missing persons were women. Although police successfully traced 15,421 individuals last year, this still left 9,087 cases unresolved by the year's end.
Teenagers Remain a High-Risk Group
Further analysis of the data reveals a persistent and worrying pattern specifically involving teenagers. Reports indicate that since 2016, more than 5,000 teenagers have gone missing in Delhi every single year. This annual figure includes approximately 3,500 girls, underscoring chronic and systemic concerns regarding the safety and protection of minors and young women in the city.
Commission Seeks Comprehensive Action Plan
In its notices, the NHRC has requested a full and comprehensive report from the Delhi government and the city police. This report must detail:
- The specific steps already taken to trace the currently missing persons.
- The additional measures being planned or implemented to address and curb the rising number of cases.
- An analysis of the systemic issues contributing to this crisis.
The Commission's intervention signals a critical moment for authorities to reassess and strengthen their mechanisms for preventing such disappearances and ensuring the swift location and safe return of missing individuals, particularly the most vulnerable.
