Behind Delhi’s fast-paced urban life lies a disturbing reality — hundreds of children have gone missing over the past decade, and many families are still waiting for their return. Official data shows that in the last 11 years, 5,559 children aged between 0 and 8 years were reported missing in the capital. While the Delhi Police managed to trace most of them, 695 children remain untraced, leaving families trapped in endless uncertainty.
According to police records, 3,216 boys and 2,343 girls went missing during this period. Although 4,864 children were successfully rescued, the remaining cases continue to haunt investigators and parents alike.
Poverty and Daily Struggle Behind Most Cases
Police officials say the majority of missing children cases are not linked to organised crime but to poverty, parental compulsion, and daily survival struggles. Many families migrate to Delhi in search of work and live in slums, JJ clusters, or temporary shelters. Parents often leave young children unattended while working long hours.
Former ACP Surender Kumar Gulia, who served with the Delhi Police Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU), explained that nearly 80% of missing cases occur due to parental negligence caused by economic pressure, not intent.
“Parents assume the child is nearby. A moment of distraction, a mobile phone, or work urgency — and the child disappears,” he said.
Organised Trafficking Gangs Involved in Few Cases
Contrary to public perception, organised trafficking gangs account for only around 1% of cases, officials say. In about 0.5% of incidents, children were kidnapped and illegally sold to childless couples.
Most such crimes occur in vulnerable neighbourhoods where awareness is low and monitoring is difficult. Children who cannot speak properly or are hearing-impaired pose an even greater challenge during rescue operations.
Encouraging Trend, But the Pain Remains
Police data indicates a decline in missing child cases over recent years. In 2025, around 850 children were reported missing, but by December 23, 2025, the number dropped to 360. However, recovery rates still vary annually.
In 2025 alone, 146 children could not be traced, the highest in recent years. Earlier, in 2019, 119 out of 559 missing children remained untraced.
Shocking Kidnapping Cases in 2025
Some cases exposed organised networks:
June 4, 2025: A 1.5-year-old child was kidnapped from Seelampur Metro Station. The accused sold the child for ₹1.5 lakh to a couple. Police rescued the child after seven months and arrested multiple accused.
August 22, 2025: A six-month-old infant went missing from Sarai Kale Khan bus terminal. Police busted a gang involving a doctor and rescued six infants, all under one year old.
Police Call for Greater Vigilance
Officials stress that while rescue mechanisms have improved, prevention remains the biggest challenge. Awareness among migrant families, supervision of children, and faster reporting are crucial to stopping disappearances before they turn tragic.
For 695 families, the wait continues — a reminder that behind every statistic is a child still missing, and parents who refuse to stop hoping.
