Mumbai Parents Hire Detectives for Pre-Marital Checks After Lohagad Case
Parents across Mumbai, including in Kurla, are increasingly hiring private detectives to conduct pre-marital background checks on prospective brides and grooms following the Lohagad murder case. Concerns among families have heightened after Sia was accused of allegedly killing her prospective husband with the help of her lover, prompting parents to seek detailed reassurance before finalising marriages.
Families are placing greater emphasis on detailed independent background verification rather than relying solely on horoscopes, matrimonial websites, relatives, or acquaintances. According to private investigators, the surge in inquiries is not limited to ordinary families; political leaders, affluent households, and Indian parents living abroad are also approaching detective agencies in large numbers to verify prospective partners in India.
Renowned Mumbai-based private detective Rajani Pandit, who has 40 years of experience, stated that while pre-marital investigations were conducted earlier, inquiries have increased considerably following the Sia case. Pandit noted that today's generation gives importance not only to horoscopes but also to verifying a prospective partner's character, lifestyle, education, family background, and financial position. She explained that her agency receives more calls for pre-marital inquiries than for several other assignments, adding that she counsels clients first and takes up a detailed investigation only if they remain unsatisfied.
Another private detective noted a sharp shift in demand, stating that inquiries have risen from about one a month two years ago to at least four calls a day currently, with around two cases registered for investigation every day. The head of a private detective agency in Kurla, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that after operating discreetly for 10 years, parents' interest has increased rapidly following recent high-profile cases, with investigations already underway in several new cases.
The cost of pre-marital investigations ranges from ₹25,000 to ₹3 lakh, depending on the nature and extent of the probe, allowing clients to choose services based on their specific requirements. These investigations include discreetly monitoring publicly observable movements to determine where and how frequently a prospective partner visits certain places, checking for existing romantic relationships, verifying financial circumstances, and checking for substance-abuse issues, as well as confirming employment, education, family background, and marital history.
