Madhya Pradesh: More than 270,000 Women and Girls Missing in 6 Years
A staggering number of over 270,000 women and girls have gone missing in Madhya Pradesh from 2020 to January 2026, according to a report from the state assembly.
In a recent session of the Madhya Pradesh Assembly, alarming statistics regarding the disappearance of women and girls in the state were revealed by the home department in response to a query from Congress MLA Dr. Vikrant Bhuriya. From the beginning of 2020 to January 28, 2026, a total of 270,300 women and girls have been reported missing, with only about 220,130 having been located, leaving over 50,000 still unaccounted for. This highlights the ongoing concern regarding women's safety and the efficiency of law enforcement in addressing the issue.
The data shows a troubling trend of increasing cases year by year, with records indicating that in 2020, there were 31,405 reported cases, which increased to 39,564 in 2021 and 43,148 in 2022. The numbers continued to escalate, reaching 50,798 in 2024 and 54,897 in 2025. By January 28, 2026, an additional 4,197 cases were reported in just that month alone. This growing trend raises serious questions about the social conditions and protective measures available for women and girls in the region.
The implications of these statistics are significant, as they not only shed light on the vulnerabilities faced by women in Madhya Pradesh but also call for urgent action from the government and law enforcement agencies to enhance safety measures and improve the tracking and recovery of missing individuals. Advocates and lawmakers emphasize the need for a systematic approach to prevent these alarming statistics from continuing to rise, underscoring the critical importance of womenโs rights and safety in the state.