With recent reports and social media updates indicating that Mumbai is on high alert due to 12 young children disappearing over the last 36 hours, the police have advised the public to avoid spreading rumors.
Some social media accounts are distorting information and spreading rumors about incidents of missing and abducted children. We firmly refute these allegations. Measures, such as filing FIRs against individuals intentionally disseminating false information and inciting public fear, are currently underway," stated the Mumbai Police in a post on X.
What the reports alleged
According to the Free Press Journal, efforts to locate the missing children are underway in various areas including streets, slum clusters, railway stations, and bus depots. The Mumbai Police have lodged First Information Reports (FIR) against 12 unknown individuals under Section 137(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) on charges of suspected kidnapping, as reported by the FPJ.
Police records indicate that reports of missing children have emerged from Shivaji Nagar with four cases, Sakinaka with two cases, Antop Hill with two cases, and one case each from Oshiwara, Mankhurd, Bangur Nagar, and Ghatkopar, it was noted.
Unresolved incidents in Mumbai
According to Mumbai Police statistics, 145 children were reported missing from June to December 2025, with 93 of them being girls. From November 1 to December 6, there were 82 cases recorded, with older teenagers making up more than half of the missing children. This group included 41 girls and 13 boys under the age of 18. The police mentioned that in many instances, the children were found and safely returned to their families.
The monthly statistics for missing children in 2025 indicate that in June, 26 girls were reported missing.
In July, 25 children disappeared, consisting of 15 boys and 10 girls. In August, there were 19 missing children, including five boys and 14 girls. September had 21 cases, with six boys and 15 girls.
In October, the count decreased to 19 children, comprising 12 boys and seven girls. In November, the figure increased to 24 missing children, with nine boys and 15 girls.
According to the report, December had the fewest cases, with 11 children missing, comprising five boys and six girls.
