How to report a missing person in Delhi and file an FIR under BNSS

The panic of the first hour

You’re at Hauz Khas Social, and your friend who went to grab a quick Vada Pav from the street hasn’t come back. Their phone is switched off. It’s been three hours. You call their parents, their other friends, and even that one ex they haven't spoken to in a year. Nothing. In movies, they tell you to wait 24 hours. In real life in Delhi, that is the worst advice you can follow. Whether it is a runaway situation, an accident, or something more serious, the first few hours are the "Golden Hours" for tracking. You don't need to be a relative to report a disappearance, and you certainly don't need to wait for a day to pass before you approach the police.

What the law actually says

As of May 2026, the legal framework for reporting missing persons in India is governed by the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, which replaced the old Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).

The Mandatory FIR

Under Section 173 of the BNSS (formerly Section 154 of the CrPC), the police are legally obligated to register an FIR if the information provided discloses a "cognizable offence." In cases of missing children (anyone under 18), the Supreme Court judgment in Bachpan Bachao Andolan vs. Union of India (2013) makes it mandatory for the police to register an FIR for kidnapping or trafficking immediately. There is zero room for "waiting periods" or "preliminary inquiries" when a child is involved.

For adults, while the police initially record a "Missing Person Report" in the General Diary (GD), the Supreme Court in Lalita Kumari vs. Govt. of UP (2014) established that if you suspect foul play, the police must register an FIR. If you are unsure of the jurisdiction (i.e., where exactly they went missing), you can file a Zero FIR at any police station in Delhi under Section 173(1) of the BNSS. The police are then required to transfer this FIR to the relevant station. For more on this, see How to file an FIR (and what to do if police refuse).

Delhi Police Standing Orders

Delhi Police operates under specific internal protocols, notably Standing Order No. 252/2019 (and its subsequent updates), which mandates that every missing person report must be uploaded to the Zonal Integrated Police Network (ZIPNET) immediately. This system shares the person’s details across the police forces of Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Chandigarh.

Step-by-step playbook

Step 1: The immediate local search (0–2 hours)

Before hitting the station, do a quick, systematic scan.

• Digital Footprint: Check their last seen on WhatsApp, Instagram, or Snapchat Map. If they were using an iPhone, check 'Find My' if you have access.
• The Route: Physically trace the path they took. Look for CCTV cameras on shops or houses along the way; you’ll need this info for the police later.
• Hospitals: Call the 102 (Ambulance) or the Delhi Police Control Room (112) to check if any unidentified person matching the description was admitted to nearby hospitals like AIIMS, Safdarjung, or RML.

Step 2: Prepare the 'Missing Person Profile'

Don’t go to the police station empty-handed. You need a folder (digital or physical) containing:

• Recent Photos: High-resolution, clear face shots. If they have distinct tattoos, birthmarks, or scars, get photos of those too.
• The Details: Write down their height, build, exact clothes they were wearing (colour of shirt, type of shoes), and any items they were carrying (laptop bag, umbrella).
• Identification: Their Aadhaar number and phone IMEI number (if you have it from the box or a bill).
• Medical Info: Do they need regular medication? Are they neurodivergent or dealing with a mental health crisis? Mention this—it upgrades the urgency of the search.

Step 3: Head to the Police Station

Go to the nearest police station. It doesn't have to be the one where they live; it should be the one closest to where they were last seen.

• Ask for the 'Missing Person Desk': Most Delhi police stations have a dedicated officer or a Juvenile Welfare Officer (JWO) for these cases.
• The GD Entry: If the person is an adult and there’s no immediate evidence of a crime, the police will make an entry in the General Diary (GD) and give you a GD Number.
• The FIR: If it’s a child or you suspect abduction, insist on an FIR under Section 173 BNSS. If they refuse, mention the Lalita Kumari judgment. If the missing person is a minor, you can also contact Childline India: 1098 for immediate advocacy.

Step 4: Trigger the Digital Search

Ensure the Duty Officer does the following (watch them do it if possible):

• ZIPNET Upload: Ask them to upload the photo and details to ZIPNET. This is crucial for inter-state tracking.
• TrackChild: For minors, ensure the details are uploaded to the TrackChild portal, which is the national database for missing and found children.
• Hue and Cry Notice: Ask the police to issue a 'Hue and Cry' notice to all PCR vans and neighbouring police stations.

Step 5: The Investigation Follow-up

Once the report is filed, an Investigating Officer (IO) will be assigned.

• Call Detail Records (CDR): The police will apply for the CDR and tower location of the missing person’s phone. This takes time (usually 24–48 hours for service provider response), so keep following up.
• CCTV Footage: Under BNSS, the police have more streamlined powers to seize digital evidence. Give them the locations of the cameras you identified in Step 1.
• The 15-Day Rule: If the person isn't found within 15 days, the case is typically transferred to the District Missing Persons Unit (DMPU). Ask your IO for the transfer status if there's no progress.

Step 6: Use the Delhi Police Online Tools

If you cannot reach a station immediately, use the Delhi Police Official Website or the Tatpar App.

• Go to the 'Citizen Services' section and look for 'Missing Person Report'.
• Note: The 'Lost Report' feature is for documents (phones, wallets); do not use it for people.
• If you suspect the disappearance is linked to an online threat, also report it via the Cyber Crime reporting portal.

To see more ways to interact with the legal system, Browse all civic-action guides.

Where it usually breaks

Even with the law on your side, the ground reality at a Delhi thana can be frustrating. Here is where the process usually hits a wall and how you can bypass it:

1. The "Wait 24 Hours" trap This is the most common excuse. A Duty Officer might tell you, "They’ve probably just gone to a friend's house, wait until tomorrow."

• The Workaround: Remind them of the Lalita Kumari vs. Govt. of UP (2014) judgment. If the person is a child, cite Bachpan Bachao Andolan vs. Union of India (2013). Tell them firmly: "Law ke mutabik, there is no waiting period for a missing person report. Please record this in the General Diary (GD) now."

2. The "Jurisdiction" shuffle The police might say the person went missing in South Delhi, so you should go to the Hauz Khas station instead of the one in Malviya Nagar.

• The Workaround: Insist on a Zero FIR under Section 173(1) of the BNSS. A Zero FIR can be filed at any police station regardless of where the incident happened. They are legally bound to register it and then transfer it to the correct station themselves.

3. Refusal to register an FIR for an adult For adults, police often just file a Missing Person Report (GD entry) and don't investigate it as a crime.

• The Workaround: If you suspect kidnapping, abduction, or any foul play, you must insist on an FIR. If the SHO (Station House Officer) refuses, don't argue. Use Section 173(4) of the BNSS—send your complaint in writing via Registered Post to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of that district. This forces a paper trail that they cannot ignore.

4. The "Social Media" brush-off If the missing person is a teenager, police might dismiss it as a "lover's quarrel" or a "runaway" case.

• The Workaround: Do not let them trivialize it. Emphasize any vulnerabilities—medical conditions, mental health history, or threats they received. If they are under 18, the police must register an FIR for kidnapping (Section 137 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) by default.

---

Templates / script

Script: Talking to the Duty Officer

You: "Sir/Ma'am, I want to report a missing person. My friend has been unreachable for 4 hours and their phone is off." Officer: "Wait for 24 hours, they will come back." You: "I cannot wait. Under the Supreme Court's directions in the Lalita Kumari case, you are required to record this information immediately. If you cannot file an FIR yet, please give me a copy of the GD (General Diary) entry and ensure the details are uploaded to ZIPNET immediately."

Template: Written Complaint to the SHO

Copy-paste this, fill in the brackets, and take two printouts. Get one stamped as your 'Receiving'.

To, The Station House Officer, [Name of Police Station, e.g., Saket PS], New Delhi - [Pincode]

Subject: Information regarding missing person [Name of Person] – Request for FIR/GD Entry.

Respected Sir/Madam,

I am writing to report that [Name of Missing Person], aged [Age], resident of [Address], has been missing since [Time] on [Date]. They were last seen at [Exact Location].

Description:

• Height/Built: [e.g., 5'8", slim]
• Clothing: [e.g., Blue jeans, black hoodie]
• Distinguishing marks: [e.g., Tattoo on right wrist]
• Phone Number: [Number] (Last active at [Time])

Despite searching all known locations and contacting friends/family, we have been unable to locate them. [Add if applicable: We suspect foul play/They require urgent medical medication].

I request you to register an FIR under the relevant sections of the BNSS and upload these details to ZIPNET and the TrackTheMissingChild portal immediately.

Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Phone Number] [Your Aadhaar Number]

---

FAQs

1. Do I need to be a blood relative to file a missing person report? No. Anyone—a friend, a flatmate, or even an employer—who has first-hand knowledge that a person is missing can file a report or an FIR. The police cannot turn you away because you aren't "family."

2. Is there any fee for filing a missing person report or FIR? Absolutely not. Filing an FIR or a GD entry is free of cost. If any officer asks for money for "petrol" or "printing," it is a bribe. You are entitled to a free copy of the FIR under Section 173(2) of the BNSS.

3. Can I file a missing person report online in Delhi? Yes, but only for adults (above 18) and only if there is no suspicion of a crime (like kidnapping). You can use the Delhi Police Citizen Portal or the Tatpar Delhi Police app. For children or cases involving foul play, you must visit the station in person.

4. What happens after I file the report? The police must alert the Missing Persons Squad and the District Missing Persons Unit (DMPU). They will broadcast the description on wireless, check unidentified bodies in morgues (via the UIDB portal), and publish the photo in the Delhi Police Gazette.

5. What is ZIPNET? The Zonal Integrated Police Network (ZIPNET) is a real-time database used by Delhi and neighbouring states. Once your report is on ZIPNET, police in Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad can see the details, which is crucial if the person has crossed state borders.

6. What if the person comes back on their own? You must inform the police station immediately. They will record a statement from the person to confirm they are safe and were not victims of a crime. This is necessary to formally "close" the case in their records.

7. Is an FIR mandatory for every missing person? For children (under 18), yes—it is mandatory to file an FIR for kidnapping. For adults, the police usually start with a GD (General Diary) entry. However, if you provide evidence or a strong suspicion of a crime, they must convert that GD entry into an FIR.