Private detective checks surge in Bhopal and Indore marriages:Families uncover hidden relationships, social media deception and past affairs before finalising matches

Wedding bells were about to ring for an affluent family in Bhopal. The groom had been matched with a young IT professional employed at a reputed company in Pune. Everything appeared perfect. Yet before finalising the marriage, the groom’s family decided to take what they considered a modern precaution, hiring a private detective. Within weeks, the investigator’s report stunned the family. The young woman had allegedly been in a live-in relationship with another man for the past two years. Presented with this evidence, the groom’s family immediately called off the engagement. This case is far from isolated. In major cities such as Bhopal and Indore, a growing number of people are opting for thorough background checks on prospective partners — whether for arranged marriages, love marriages, or even live-in relationships. Suspicion, not trust, is increasingly becoming the foundation upon which families make life-changing decisions. Why are people turning to detectives? Private investigators, sociologists and lawyers say that mistrust in relationships has soared, prompting people to conduct detailed checks before committing to marriage. The trend intensified after high-profile cases such as the Meerut “blue drum” murder and Indore’s Sonam–Raja Raghuvanshi case, which exposed shocking truths hidden behind seemingly ideal relationships. Rishabh Kumar, owner of an investigation agency in Bhopal, says that although India has no specific law governing such enquiries, demand has grown sharply. Madhya Pradesh now has 18–20 detective agencies, including 6–7 major ones in Bhopal and around 10–12 in Indore, with 60–70 full-time professionals working in the field. According to Rishabh, requests for pre-marital checks have increased by 30–40%. Indore-based investigator Dev Goswami adds that clients want clarity on a wide range of concerns: past affairs, relationship history, employment and salary verification, drug use, criminal record, and activity on social media. 4 cases that reveal the reality behind relationships 1. Social media’s illusion of luxury One investigation revealed that a young man’s lavish lifestyle — displayed through luxury cars, foreign holidays and an opulent home on social media — was entirely fabricated. Despite warnings, the girl’s family went ahead with the marriage. Two months later, the truth emerged, and the couple is now fighting a divorce case in family court. 2. Doctors’ secret Goa getaway In another case, a female doctor from Indore was suspected by her partner. Detectives traced her to Goa, where she was found holidaying with another male doctor. Investigations revealed that both were already in separate committed relationships, yet were secretly vacationing together. 3. Live-in deception and a return to Delhi A couple living together in Bhopal seemed ready for marriage. But just before the engagement, the girl suddenly travelled to Delhi. When her partner’s family ordered an investigation, it was discovered she had reunited with her former lover of three years. 4. Hidden foreign trips unearthed In Bhopal, a boy engaged through a matrimonial site became suspicious of his fiancée’s undisclosed past. Detectives found records of several earlier trips and hotel bookings with another man, including international travel. The engagement was called off immediately. Legal experts: ‘More men are being deceived’ According to family-law specialist Advocate Jyoti Mishra, family courts are witnessing a surge in such disputes. She notes that more men are now victims of deception than women. There are cases where women marry a second or third time without legally divorcing their previous partner, leaving the groom’s family completely unaware. Why trust has broken down: Sociological insights Sociologist Dr Deepti Srivastava attributes the trend to major social changes. Traditional marriage systems, where families knew each other’s social and economic background, have weakened due to urbanisation, migration, and nuclear families. Young people now rely on matrimonial sites, dating apps and social media, platforms, where it is easy to construct an idealised or misleading identity. Family counsellor Shail Awasthi says Bhopal alone receives around 200 counselling cases per month, with the Family Court handling up to 300. Disputes today often stem from cheating, extramarital affairs, social-media behaviour, and marriages based on false information, a shift from earlier conflicts involving in-laws. How detective agencies conduct their work A private investigator explained that agencies use four key methods- Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT): Analysing social-media activity, photos, posts, location tags and friend lists. Public Records: Accessing court files, marriage or divorce documents, property data and company records. Digital Footprints: Examining travel history, hotel bookings, online payments and emails. Human Intelligence (HUMINT): Speaking informally to neighbours, colleagues or friends to verify facts. ​