Police Warn of Strict Action Against Those Spreading Fear for Profit
The Delhi Police have rejected viral claims suggesting a sudden spike in missing girls and children in Delhi, stating that the online panic was intentionally created through paid social media promotions. Authorities have warned that strict legal action will follow against anyone found spreading fear for financial or political gain.
No Sudden Rise in Missing Persons, Say Police
Police officials urged citizens not to fall for rumours about an alleged surge in missing children. Viral posts claimed that 807 people went missing in the first 15 days of January 2026, but investigators said the figures were misused and taken out of context.
According to Delhi Police, these numbers do not indicate any unusual trend when compared with previous years’ monthly averages.
Paid Promotions Drove Viral Panic
Social Media Posts Boosted for Monetary Gain
Delhi Police confirmed that several viral posts were deliberately promoted using paid advertisements to amplify fear. After tracking digital leads, authorities found that financial incentives played a key role in pushing the narrative.
Police stated clearly that creating public panic online will not be tolerated, and action will be taken against those involved in spreading misleading information.
Missing Data Misrepresented Online
January Figures in Context
Some posts highlighted partial data from early January, suggesting an average of 54 missing persons per day. Police clarified that such selective use of numbers created a false impression.
January 2026 Missing-Person Statistics
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Total cases reported: 1,777
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Women: 509
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Men: 298
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Minors: 191
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Adults: 616
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Cases traced: 235
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Cases untraced: 572
Officials pointed out that Delhi records around 2,000 missing-person cases per month on average, making January 2026 lower than usual.
In 2025, over 24,500 missing-person cases were reported in the capital, with more than 9,000 cases unresolved by the end of the year.
Mardaani 3 Makers Respond to Allegations
Yash Raj Films Denies Any Link to Viral Posts
The viral claims also dragged the upcoming film ‘Mardaani 3’, starring Rani Mukerji, into the controversy. The film’s makers strongly denied accusations of using missing-person data as part of a promotional strategy.
A Yash Raj Films spokesperson stated that the production house operates with ethics and transparency and has not sensationalised any sensitive issue. The studio added that it trusts authorities to present all verified facts.
Political Reactions Fuel Online Debate
Several political leaders and influencers amplified the claims online. Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal described the situation as alarming and questioned public safety in the capital.
Police, however, reiterated that official data does not support claims of an abnormal rise in missing persons.
What the Official Data Shows
Long-Term Trends Remain Stable
Delhi Police data show no unusual spike in 2026:
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January 2026: 1,777 cases
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2025 total: 24,508 cases (about 2,042 per month)
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Annual average since 2016: 23,000–24,000 cases
Initiatives like Operation Milap and AI-based tracking systems have helped reunite over 180,000 missing persons with their families between 2016 and 2025, achieving a 77% recovery rate.
However, police acknowledged that untraced female cases have increased over the years, highlighting ongoing challenges despite better reporting systems.
Delhi Police Appeal to Citizens
Rely on Verified Information
Delhi Police stressed that while unresolved cases remain a concern, authorities are handling them through technology-driven investigations and dedicated teams.
Citizens are advised to depend only on official police data and trusted news sources and avoid sharing unverified content online.
Spreading panic, police warned, will invite legal consequences.
