Human trafficking is also becoming a major problem in the capital. According to Delhi Police's Zipnet data from 2015 to 2025 (an 11-year period), 5,559 children aged from newborns to 18 years went missing from their homes, of whom the police were only able to find 4,864.
Approximately 695 children and adolescents remain missing even after 11 years. Looking at the overall figures for all age groups during this 11-year period, a total of 255,432 people went missing from the capital, of whom the police found 201,455. 53,977 people are still missing.
This means that, considering the overall figures for all age groups, approximately 63 people went missing from Delhi every day during this 11-year period. These figures are disturbing and alarming for the residents of Delhi. Where do these missing children and other people disappear to? Finding out has been a challenge for the police for years.
This situation exists despite the fact that there is a separate section under the Crime Branch, specifically dedicated to human trafficking, which works year-round to locate missing persons and apprehend human traffickers.
While most children who go missing from the capital may not be victims of human trafficking gangs, many are trafficked into Delhi from various states.
6,759 Minors Rescued in Approximately Three Years
According to Ravikant, the national coordinator of Just Rights for Children, a nationwide organization working for the protection and safeguarding of child rights, 6,759 minors who were victims of trafficking were rescued in Delhi between April 1, 2023, and January 29, 2026. This included 2,134 girls and 3,281 boys.
During this period, 2,407 human trafficking cases were registered in Delhi. These children were brought from states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. Ravikant says that the nationwide data is also alarming because more than 250 partner organizations connected to the organization's network rescued 125,408 children from the clutches of human trafficking gangs between April 1, 2023, and January 29, 2026.
During this period, 56,459 human trafficking cases were registered. Of the rescued children, 28,797 were girls and 67,387 were boys. These children were neither separated from their families nor had they run away voluntarily.
They were trapped in the gangs' nets due to greed, deception, and threats. Supreme Court guidelines are necessary for monitoring such cases.
A Crime Branch officer says that in Delhi, out of every 150 to 200 cases of missing children, one case involves the buying and selling of children. The police immediately arrest the gangs that are identified.
Police SOP
The Delhi Police has a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for finding missing children. The SOP, created on April 22, 2022, states the following:
Police stations should have a facilitation desk for people who come to report missing children or adults, which the District DCP should ensure.
After receiving the information, the police should immediately begin the search... because the first 48 hours are crucial. If the child is not found, the police station should convert the missing person report into an abduction case and begin the investigation.
Registering a case is mandatory in cases of missing children under 18 years of age.
Mandatory police action after case registration
As soon as a case of a missing child is registered, the information from the DD entry or FIR is immediately given to the Police Control Room. This information is also mandatorily sent to the State Crime Records Bureau (SCRB) and the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). All details must be uploaded to ZIPNET within 24 hours. Within 12 hours, a detailed message is flashed across India, including the child's complete information and photograph. A Missing Children Information Form is filled out and sent to the District Missing Persons Squad and the Crime Branch's Missing Persons Squad within 24 hours.
The investigating officer circulates notices at important locations within 48 hours, informs the informants are activated, and intensive inquiries are conducted at the last known location where the child was seen.
An alert is issued to all border check posts within four hours to question suspicious individuals. Within a week, the case is also publicized through the media to expedite the search for the child.
Responsibilities of Police Personnel at the Police Station
The Inspector (Investigation) maintains a record of all efforts made in the search for the child. The SHO reviews the case every week, and the ACP reviews it every 15 days to monitor the progress of the investigation.
Provision for Rewards and Promotions for Finding Missing Children
To encourage police personnel in finding missing children, there is a provision for rewards and out-of-turn promotions. Personnel from Constable to ASI rank can be given an out-of-turn promotion for finding 80 or more children under the age of 18 in a year, of which at least 25 children must be under the age of 14.
How to File a Complaint about a Missing Child
Several avenues are available for victim families to file a complaint. Information can be given by calling 112 or 1090. Alternatively, a complaint can be filed directly at the concerned police station.
Citizens can also file a complaint by calling 23241210 or 1094, or through internet media platforms, fax, email, SMS, WhatsApp, the police web portal, or a mobile app.
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