Rajani Pandit embarked on her journey as a detective in a rather unconventional manner, at a time when the distinction between being helpful and crossing boundaries was somewhat ambiguous. Recognized as India’s pioneering female detective, Rajani has amassed over three decades of experience in the field, successfully handling more than 80,000 cases.
In today's context, her initiation might have raised eyebrows with questions like 'Why is this girl meddling in others' affairs?' However, back in the early '80s, her actions were perceived as acts of goodwill, laying the groundwork for a thriving private detective agency. Recalling her beginnings, Rajani shares an incident from her college days when she observed a fellow student engaging in concerning behavior. Concerned for her peer's well-being, Rajani obtained her address and informed her parents, an act that, at the time, was appreciated rather than criticized for intruding on privacy.
Another noteworthy incident involved Rajani donning a burkha to discreetly follow a neighbor whose financial troubles were affecting his family. Uncovering the truth revealed his excessive drinking and gambling habits, allowing the wife to take charge of the business and alleviate the family from impending poverty.
Rajani gained widespread recognition after solving a case involving an anonymous letter sent to a newlywed woman about her husband. Investigating the matter, she discovered the existence of another family. This, along with other notable achievements, earned her titles such as 'Lady Sherlock' and 'Lady James Bond,' even though she initially had no knowledge of these fictional characters.
By 1989, Rajani became a known figure, with media coverage and an interview on Doordarshan's 'Hum Kisi Se Kam Nahin' catapulting her to fame nationwide. This led to the establishment of the Rajani Pandit Detective Agency in Shivaji Park, Mumbai. Initially unsure of what cases to undertake and how much to charge, Rajani relied on her intuition, considering experience as her guiding force.
Facing challenges head-on, Rajani recalls one of her toughest cases where she went undercover as household help in a suspected murder case. Adapting to various roles and personas, she emphasizes her mastery of disguise. Starting as a solo practitioner for two years, she now leads a team of 20 individuals.
Rajani's extensive repertoire of detective work includes background checks, financial fraud investigations, pre and post-employment checks, personal investigations such as locating missing persons and handling divorce cases, among others. When questioned about self-defense training, she dismisses its relevance, citing her unwavering mental confidence.
Despite the lack of organization in the Indian private detective sector, Rajani faced a controversy in 2018 when she was arrested during a crackdown on private detectives, accused of illegally obtaining call data records (CDR). She attributes this to her success and highlights the absence of adequate protection or support from the detective association.
Over the years, Rajani has garnered respect, even receiving job offers from the police department. However, she remains enamored with the thrill of working independently. According to her, the five essential qualities of a good detective are patience, confidence, discretion, presence of mind, and quick thinking. Advocating for more women in the profession, Rajani believes that their innate discretion and focus make them excellent detectives.
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