Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Pune Police Say Viral Claim of 123 Kidnappings Is False
A message on social media said that 123 girls had been kidnapped in Pune in just 22 hours.
This worried many people.
Pune Police checked the claim and said they found no evidence that it was true.
They also spoke with people connected to the story in the audio clip.
A rule about registering reports when someone goes missing may have been misunderstood online.
A missing-person report does not prove that someone was kidnapped.
Police asked people not to forward unverified messages.
They said people who need help can call 112.
Pune Police said verification found no evidence that 123 girls were kidnapped in 22 hours.
A viral reel and audio clip circulated on WhatsApp, Instagram and other social media platforms, prompting public concern.
Police questioned the audio recorder and people connected to the incident described in the recording.
Police said the claim may have confused missing-person FIR procedures with proof of an actual abduction.
The inquiry into the content’s origin and circulation is ongoing; police urged residents to verify messages and call Dial 112 for help.
- Who
- Pune Police, including Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Gauhar Hasan, investigated the viral claim.
- What
- Police said they found no evidence that 123 girls were kidnapped in Pune within 22 hours.
- When
- The claim circulated recently; the article also refers to Supreme Court directions issued in May 2026 and clarified in August.
- Where
- Pune, including claims that also created an impression of abductions across Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.
- Why
- Police said the claim was baseless and may reflect confusion between missing-person FIR procedures and actual abductions.
Viral allegation
Police verification
Whether mass kidnappings occurred
Viral allegation
The viral audio and reel claimed that 123 girls had been kidnapped in Pune within 22 hours.
Police verification
Pune Police said their verification found no concrete record or evidence supporting the claim.
Meaning of kidnapping-related FIRs
Viral allegation
The posts linked kidnapping-related cases or reports to a claim of actual abductions.
Police verification
Police said registration of an FIR after someone is reported missing does not by itself establish that the person was forcibly kidnapped.
- Viral claim
- 123 girls kidnapped in Pune within 22 hours
- Police finding
- Verification found no evidence supporting the claim
- Content circulated
- A reel and audio clip shared on WhatsApp, Instagram and other platforms
- Police official
- Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Gauhar Hasan
- Inquiry status
- Inquiry into the content’s origin and circulation is underway
- Emergency contact
- Dial 112
- Supreme Court direction
- Police stations must register an FIR when informed that a person is missing; the direction applies irrespective of age or gender