Delhi's Silent Crisis: Hundreds Vanish in a Fortnight, Women and Girls Most Vulnerable

Imagine, for a moment, the bustling streets of Delhi, a city teeming with life, dreams, and endless stories. Now, picture something far more chilling: over 800 of its residents simply vanishing into thin air in just a fortnight. It’s a truly staggering figure, isn't it? This isn't a plot from a thriller; it's the stark reality that gripped India's capital during the first half of January 2026, revealing a deeply unsettling undercurrent beneath the city's vibrant facade.

What makes these numbers even more distressing is the demographic skew. A whopping majority – indeed, an overwhelming 95% – of those who disappeared were women and young girls. To put a finer point on it, out of the 812 missing individuals, 489 were adult women and 283 were girls. This contrasts sharply with the relatively small numbers of missing men (a mere 7) and boys (just 33). It begs the question: why are women and girls so disproportionately vulnerable in our capital?

If we break it down, this means approximately 54 people were reported missing every single day during that short period. Think about that for a second – 54 families thrown into unimaginable distress daily. This isn't just about statistics; it’s about lives upended, about loved ones frantically searching, about a pervasive fear that settles over communities. The data, often sourced from crucial bodies like the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), paints a grim picture, reminding us that these aren't isolated incidents but part of a larger, worrying pattern.

While the reasons behind such disappearances are complex and varied – ranging from voluntary departures to more sinister possibilities like trafficking or abduction – the sheer scale, particularly concerning women and girls, demands immediate and thorough attention. It underscores an urgent need for enhanced safety measures, more effective investigative protocols, and a deeper societal introspection into the systemic vulnerabilities that allow such a disturbing trend to persist. Ultimately, the safety of Delhi’s residents, especially its most vulnerable, hinges on addressing this silent crisis head-on.