A staggering number of women and girls, totaling over 23,000, are currently missing in Madhya Pradesh, according to data presented by the state government in the assembly. The issue came to light following a question posed by Congress MLA Bala Bachchan, who requested detailed information regarding missing women and girls, as well as updates on registered cases of rape and sexual assault between January 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025.
The official records reveal that, as of June 30, 2025, 21,175 women and 1,954 girls have been missing for over a year. This alarming statistic is further compounded by the fact that a significant number of accused individuals in cases of rape and other crimes against women remain at large. The data indicates that 292 men accused of raping women and 283 accused of raping minors are still on the run, meaning 575 rape accused are freely moving across the state.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, approximately 1,500 accused individuals linked to rape and other crimes against women are still evading law enforcement. This includes 443 accused in sexual crimes against women and 167 in similar cases against girls. Additionally, 320 accused are connected to other cases related to the disappearance of women and girls, with 76 linked to women and 254 to girls, remaining missing from police records.
Several districts in Madhya Pradesh have emerged as hotspots for these disappearances. Sagar district has the highest number of missing women, with 1,069 cases reported. Jabalpur follows with 946 missing women, while Indore has 788, Bhopal (rural) has 688, and Chhatarpur has 669. Rewa reported 653 missing women, Dhar has 637, and Gwalior has 617.
The former home minister, Bala Bachchan, also inquired about the number of victims missing for over a month, the number of accused arrested, and the number still on the run. He further pressed the government for a timeline for arresting those on the run and whether any action has been taken against negligent officials.
These revelations have sparked concerns about the safety and security of women and girls in Madhya Pradesh. The large number of missing persons and the high number of accused individuals evading arrest highlight the urgent need for improved law enforcement, preventative measures, and support systems for vulnerable populations.
It's worth noting that Madhya Pradesh has had a concerning history regarding missing women and girls. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, nearly two lakh women and girls went missing in Madhya Pradesh between 2019 and 2021. This was the highest number compared to any other state in the country. In 2022, an average of 32 children went missing every day in Madhya Pradesh, with girls accounting for 75% of these cases.
