Social media is rife with claims that more than 800 people have gone missing in Delhi in the first 2 weeks of January. The matter, which was first reported by PTI, has been picked up by social media influencers and amplified in an exaggerated manner to portray a doomsday scenario. This prompted the Delhi police to issue clarifications and netizens to question whether it has something to do with the release of the Bollywood film ‘Mardaani 3.’
In a statement on Thursday (5th February), IPS Sanjay Tyagi informed, “In Delhi, there is no reason for any fear about missing persons, especially children. As compared to the past, there has been no increase in missing persons in Delhi. In fact, in January 2026, there was a reduction in the reporting of missing persons compared to the same period last year.”
“The Delhi Police follow the policy of impartial and transparent reporting of crimes…In all cases, we try to find out the missing persons as soon as possible. Special attention is given in the case of missing children. We have dedicated missing persons squads and anti-human trafficking units in the crime branch,” he added.
IPS Tyagi pointed out that the police investigation has found no involvement of any organised group/ gang in the case of missing children in Delhi. “We appeal to you not to pay attention to any kind of rumours. In addition to this, appropriate legal measures will be taken against the spread of rumours,” he concluded.
हम यह स्पष्ट करना चाहते है कि गुमशुदगी, विशेषकर बच्चों के लापता होनें को लेकर फैलायी जा रही अफवाहों से घबराने की कोई आवश्यकता नहीं है।
— Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) February 5, 2026
विगत वर्षों की तुलना में गुमशुदगी के मामलों में वृद्धि नहीं हुई है।
दिल्ली पुलिस त्वरित जांच व कार्रवाई के साथ नागरिकों की सुरक्षा के लिए… pic.twitter.com/WjV1MCoTEM
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday (6th February), the Delhi police stated, “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,” they further informed.
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.
— Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) February 6, 2026
In the meantime, netizens have questioned the suspicious timing of the release of ‘Mardaani 3’ and the exaggerated claims about missing persons in Delhi.
If the “people going missing” campaign is being seeded by Yash Raj Films to promote #Mardaani3, then it is one of the worst and most unethical MARKETING CAMPAIGN executed in the history of film promotions. #RaniMukerji
— Bollywood Talkies (@bolly_talkies) February 5, 2026
Whatever the intention was, it has instilled fear and panic… pic.twitter.com/SewCRpg105
Coincidentally, the movie was released on 30th January, the same day PTI carried the report about 800 missing persons in the National Capital in just 2 weeks.
Alert: The news about a “massive rise in missing children cases” is completely misleading and exaggerated.
— Mr Sinha (@Mrsinha) February 5, 2026
It all seems to have started alongside the buzz around the sequel of Mardaani starring Rani Mukerji, which is reportedly based on investigations into kidnapped children.… pic.twitter.com/zskpioIAwW
Makers of Mardaani movie decided to spread mass hysteria around missing persons just to promote their movie. Not denying it's a very real problem but analyse data on how many leave on their own, how majority are traced & brought back pic.twitter.com/iR29vp9Wcf
— Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj (@DeepikaBhardwaj) February 5, 2026
Netizens have now demanded strict action against paid campaigners and influencers attempting to fearmonger and create mass hysteria among the public.
