'Paid Promotion': Delhi Police On Missing Girls Reports, Warn Of Action Against Hype For Money

Last Updated:February 06, 2026, 11:10 IST

Delhi Police said fears about a surge in missing girls were being fuelled through paid promotion on social media and warned of strict legal action against those spreading panic.

Delhi Police on Friday said they had uncovered attempts to artificially amplify fears about missing girls in the national capital, warning that legal action would follow against those spreading panic for profit.

In its latest post on X, the police said, “After following a few leads, we discovered that the hype around the surge in missing girls in Delhi is being pushed through paid promotion."

“Creating panic for monetary gains won’t be tolerated, and we’ll take strict action against such individuals," the Delhi Police mentioned.

The post comes amid heightened public concern over social-media claims of a sharp rise in missing children cases.

The force also referenced earlier clarifications issued this week in which it urged residents not to believe rumours circulating online.

“Recent public discourse has raised concerns about the welfare of children in Delhi. We appeal to the citizens not to fall prey to the rumours about the spurt in the cases of missing children," the police mentioned in its post on Thursday.

It also warned that strict legal action would be taken against “rumour mongers" misrepresenting data.

It added that the safety of children was of “paramount importance" and that officers were working around the clock to trace missing persons and reunite them with families.

In another earlier message, Delhi Police had stressed, “We wish to clarify that there is no need to panic over the rumours being spread regarding missing persons, especially the disappearance of children."

“There has been no increase in missing persons cases compared to previous years," the police mentioned.

The social media post also reaffirmed the force’s commitment to “prompt investigation and action."

The police have sought to reassure the public, saying January 2026 recorded fewer missing-person reports than the same period last year.

According to multiple reports, officers have been explaining that many recovered children had left home voluntarily and that CCTV footage and technical surveillance were often used to trace them.

According to news agency ANI, police data showed January 2026 recorded 1,777 missing cases, below the city’s monthly average of around 2,000, and that since 2016, more than 1,80,000 people had been traced and reunited with families, reflecting a recovery rate of about 77 per cent.

The Delhi Police had earlier released data showing that 807 people were reported missing between January 1 and 15, including 191 minors and 509 women and girls.

While acknowledging those figures, the police told news agency PTI that January 2026 overall reflected a decline compared with corresponding periods in previous years.

The statement reiterated that all complaints were registered promptly, SOPs were strictly followed, and district-level missing-person squads and the Crime Branch’s Anti-Human Trafficking Unit were deployed to ensure swift recovery.

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