Police data reveals a disturbing gender disparity as 82 people go missing in little over a month, with teenagers and young girls in the city’s suburbs most at risk.
Something troubling is happening in Mumbai. Police data shows 82 people went missing in just 36 days, between 1 November and 6 December. What’s really alarming is the gender breakdown: 60 of those missing people were female.
The numbers, pulled from Mumbai Police records, reveal a pattern targeting young adults and minors. Among the missing are 41 girls aged 18 and under, along with 13 boys in the same age range. What’s really shocking is that the list includes children as young as five years old.
Certain neighborhoods have become hotspots for these disappearances. Kurar Village, Vakola, Powai, Malwani, and Sakinaka have all reported multiple cases recently, pushing police to increase patrols in these areas.
This recent spike isn’t an isolated thing either. Looking at data from June to December 2025, a total of 134 minors have vanished across the city. Girls make up over 75% of those cases.
“Mumbai is supposed to be a safe space for people, especially women… but these figures highlight the growing vulnerability of minors across various age groups,” the Free Press Journal reported.
Police are emphasizing how crucial it is to act fast. “Early reporting significantly improves recovery chances,” a police source told local media, urging families to come forward without worrying about what people might think.
Mumbai has a reputation as one of India’s safest cities for women, but these numbers tell a different story. And it’s not just Mumbai. The neighboring area of Navi Mumbai reported 499 child kidnappings in 11 months just last week, though they did note a recovery rate of over 91%.
When police do find these missing people, investigators say the reasons behind the disappearances vary. Some cases involve emotional distress, academic pressure, or elopement. But the sheer number of cases packed into such a short time has child welfare activists seriously worried.
Mumbai Police have stepped up their search efforts, using the 112 emergency helpline and the 1098 Childline service to gather information. They’re updating the data daily now, and they’ve formed special teams specifically to track down the missing individuals in those hotspot areas.
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