Mumbai: 12 Minors, Mostly Girls, Reported Missing Across City; Police Deny Social Media Claims

Earlier, several media outlets reported that 12 minors went missing from Mumbai in just 36 hours. Mumbai Police debunks the report of 12 missing minors in a post on X. Earlier media reports stated eight of the missing children were girls, prompting intensified search operations across slum pockets, railway stations, bus depots, and crowded public areas. The media reports also added that FIRs were registered based on complaints from parents and guardians under Section 137(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against unidentified persons on suspicion of kidnapping.

The development had raised fears of organised child trafficking networks operating in the city, but the Mumbai Police has now issued a clarification on reports of missing miniors. Mumbai Police said, "Certain social media handles are misrepresenting data and indulging in rumour-mongering regarding cases of missing and kidnapped children. We categorically deny these claims. Action, including the registration of FIRs against those deliberately spreading false information and creating public panic, is under process."

Certain social media handles are misrepresenting data and indulging in rumour-mongering regarding cases of missing and kidnapped children. We categorically deny these claims.

Action, including the registration of FIRs against those deliberately spreading false information and…

— मुंबई पोलीस Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) February 2, 2026

Earlier media reports stated that complaints lodged by parents and guardians, Mumbai Police have registered FIRs against 12 unidentified persons under Section 137(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, suspecting kidnapping. These incidents have renewed fears about organised child trafficking networks operating in the city. 

Media reports suggested that police suspect that human trafficking could be a key factor behind several of the disappearances, although some cases may involve family disputes or minors running away from home. Experts note that crowded locations such as slum areas, busy markets, railway stations, and bus terminals are high-risk zones where children can be easily targeted.