Mumbai: 82 Children Go Missing in 36 Days?
Mumbai reported 82 missing children and young adults in just 36 days, raising serious concerns about child safety, while police urged people not to panic.
Between 1st November 2025 and 6th December 2025, Mumbai saw a worrying rise in cases of missing children and young adults. In just 36 days, 82 cases were reported across the city, which surprised both the police and the public.
Out of these 82 cases, 60 were girls and young women, while 22 were boys. A closer look at the age groups showed that 18-year-olds were the most affected. Among them, 41 were girls, and 13 were boys. The cases also included very young children, such as a 5-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy, which made the situation even more concerning.
These missing cases were reported from many different parts of Mumbai, not just one area. Police records show repeated reports from places like Kurar Village, Vakola, Powai, Malwani, and Sakinaka. This clearly indicates that the issue was spread across the entire city.
As these numbers became public, many messages started going viral on WhatsApp and social media. Several posts claimed that over 80 children had gone missing, which increased fear and anxiety among parents and residents. This led to serious discussions about child safety in Mumbai.
Mumbai Police later clarified the situation through an official statement. They said that many social media messages do not present the full or correct facts. Police explained that in many missing cases, people are later traced through CCTV footage, mobile phone tracking, and ground-level police work. They also shared an example where a 4-year-old child was rescued from Varanasi after being missing from Mumbai for six months.
Police officials stressed that every missing case is treated with the highest priority, especially when minors are involved. They also said the real number of missing children could be higher, as some cases are not reported due to fear, social pressure, or stigma faced by families.
Authorities have urged citizens to report missing children immediately and not wait, as delays reduce the chances of finding them safely. They reminded the public to use emergency number 112 or Childline 1098 in such situations.
Some reports also stated that from June to early December, Mumbai recorded more than 130 missing minors, most of them girls. This has raised deeper concerns about the safety of young girls, family disputes, social pressure, cases of running away from home, and possible exploitation, though police say every case has different reasons.
Meanwhile, unverified messages continue to circulate on social media. One such message claimed that a man was caught trying to kidnap a child outside a society in Goregaon. Overall, the situation has highlighted not just a short-term fear but a long-term concern about the safety of children and young people in Mumbai.
