Bhopal: In a shocking revelation, the Madhya Pradesh government has confirmed that over **23,000 women and girls** are currently missing in the state. The data was shared in the state assembly, triggering serious concerns over public safety and law enforcement failures.
The figures came in response to a question by senior Congress leader and former Home Minister **Bala Bachchan**. He had asked for district-wise data on missing females and pending cases of sexual violence from **January 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025**.
Chief Minister **Mohan Yadav**, in a written reply, stated that **21,175 women and 1,954 girls** have remained untraced for over a year. This brings the total number of missing women and girls to **23,129**.
Even more alarming is the number of **accused persons still on the run**. According to official records:
* **292 men** accused of raping women are absconding.
* **283 men** accused of raping minors are untraceable.
* **443** other accused in sexual crimes against women have not been arrested.
* **167** accused in similar cases involving girls are missing.
* **320 people** linked to abduction cases are also at large.
This adds up to **1,505 individuals** involved in serious crimes against women and girls who are **still evading arrest**.
Bala Bachchan, addressing the Assembly, demanded accountability. He asked for a clear timeline for arrests and questioned if any action had been taken against negligent police officers. He said the situation reflects a **growing culture of impunity** in the state.
The data also shows certain districts have reported **exceptionally high numbers of missing females**:
* **Sagar**: 1,069
* **Jabalpur**: 946
* **Indore**: 788
* **Bhopal (Rural)**: 688
* **Chhatarpur**: 669
* **Rewa**: 653
* **Dhar**: 637
* **Gwalior**: 617
Each of these districts has over **500 missing cases**, revealing **systemic failures** in policing, investigation, and prevention.
Despite the scale of the crisis, the government has **not presented any detailed action plan** or **timeline for arrests**. This has drawn strong criticism from opposition parties, women’s rights activists, and civil society.
Activists have called the situation a **“silent emergency”**, warning that **gender-based violence is rising**, while **law enforcement remains slow and ineffective**.
As pressure mounts, the public awaits decisive steps from the government to restore safety, justice, and accountability.
