Trust takes a back seat as pre-marital spy checks surge in Gujarat

In an era dominated by dating apps, matrimonial websites, and social media profiles, traditional matchmaking methods are increasingly giving way to private investigations, especially with marriage-related crime headlines on the rise.

In Gujarat, thousands of young people and their families are turning to detective agencies to verify the backgrounds of prospective spouses, reflecting a growing culture of caution in matters of marriage.

Private investigators in Ahmedabad estimate that they receive between 7,000 and 8,000 enquiries every year relating to pre-marital and post-marital investigations. Most of the clients are between 21 and 35 years old, while enquiries also come from cities including Surat, Vadodara, Anand and several parts of North Gujarat.

Industry insiders say the trend highlights a shift in social attitudes, with many families placing greater trust in professionally verified information than in recommendations from relatives, community elders or mutual acquaintances.

Rise in pre- and post-marital investigations

Ahmedabad is home to an estimated 15 to 20 private detective agencies, which together handle more than 6,000 pre-marital verification cases annually. In addition, more than 2,000 enquiries relate to post-marital disputes and suspicions.

Vishal Trivedi, who operates a detective agency in the city, said post-marital investigations often stem from behavioural changes between spouses.

"Cases usually arise when one partner becomes secretive about their mobile phone, changes passwords, spends more time away from home, or displays unusual behaviour. Suspicious spouses often hire detectives to verify whether there is an extramarital relationship or any other concealed activity," he said.

According to Trivedi, demand for post-marital investigations has increased by nearly 40% over the past seven years.

Matrimonial apps replacing family networks

Shiv Shah, another private investigator, said the transformation of India's matrimonial landscape has fuelled the growth of the sector.

"Earlier, marriages were arranged through family networks, community leaders and social connections. Today, many alliances originate through matrimonial websites and dating applications. Families often know very little about the person on the other side and seek independent verification before proceeding," he said.

Detective agencies are commonly asked to verify educational qualifications, employment records, income details, lifestyle habits, addictions, criminal backgrounds and family histories.

The practice is particularly common among Non-Resident Indian (NRI) families living in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, who often commission background checks before finalising matches involving prospective brides or grooms in India.

Investigators say adverse findings frequently lead to engagements or proposed marriages being called off.

Growing scrutiny of prospective brides

One notable trend is the increasing number of investigations involving prospective brides.

Industry estimates suggest that nearly 70% of matrimonial enquiries over the past five to seven years have focused on women. Investigators attribute this shift to changing social and legal dynamics, with some families seeking additional verification before entering into long-term commitments.

While background checks were once largely initiated by women seeking information about a prospective husband's financial stability and character, the pattern has become more balanced, with men and their families increasingly seeking similar information about prospective brides.

Health records becoming part of marriage checks

Detectives say families are no longer limiting enquiries to education, employment, and character.

Health-related investigations have emerged as a growing area of demand, with families seeking information about hereditary illnesses and major medical conditions before marriage.

Apart from common concerns such as diabetes, hypertension, and thalassaemia, some clients also request information about serious illnesses including cancer, kidney disease, heart ailments, and HIV.

Detectives enter divorce and custody battles

The role of private investigators increasingly extends beyond marriage into family disputes.

In maintenance and divorce cases, detectives are often hired to gather evidence regarding a spouse's income, employment status and financial assets.

Lawyers say such evidence can strengthen claims for alimony and maintenance in court proceedings.

Similarly, child custody disputes have become another area of demand. Parents seeking custody frequently use investigators to document the living conditions, parenting practices and overall welfare provided by the other parent.

Beyond marriage: A growing surveillance industry

Marriage-related enquiries form only part of the work undertaken by private investigators.

Detective agencies also handle missing persons cases, property verification, business intelligence, financial due diligence and monitoring of teenagers.

The expansion of the industry has coincided with growing demand for surveillance technology. Traders report a sharp rise in sales of spy cameras, pen cameras, GPS trackers, audio-recording devices, drones, binoculars and monitoring software over the past five to six years.

Trust, but verify

For many families, the marriage process is no longer based solely on personal references or horoscope matching. Instead, background checks, financial verification and even health screenings are becoming part of modern matchmaking.

As technology reshapes relationships, detective agencies are finding themselves playing an increasingly prominent role in one of society's oldest institutions – marriage.