Actual kidnapping cases form less than 2 per cent of total missing women cases, indicating minimal serious criminal involvement. A review of cases from January 2010 to December 2025 shows that of over 1.37 lakh reported cases, nearly 75 per cent (1.31 lakh) have been traced.

CM Devendra Fadnavis, replying to a debate in the assembly, said, “Most cases are linked to personal and social reasons, kidnapping cases remain a very small percentage”, underlining that most incidents stem from social and emotional circumstances rather than serious crime.