Meet India’s First ‘Lady James Bond’ Rajani Pandit: A master of disguise, she became a maid, a pregnant woman, and even a street vendor to crack over 75k cases

Rajani Pandit (Image Credit: Facebook/humansofbombay)

In a country where detective work was long considered a male domain, Rajani Pandit broke every stereotype. Known as India’s first female private investigator and often dubbed the “Lady James Bond,” she has spent over four decades uncovering truths, solving mysteries, and protecting the vulnerable. Her record? More than 75,000 cases solved — and counting.

What sets Rajani apart is not just her intuition or investigative skills — it’s her daring undercover work. She has infiltrated situations in ways most would never imagine. She has posed as a maid to enter homes, won the trust of families, and uncovered hidden truths. Sometimes, she would act as a pregnant woman, using empathy to gain confidences, and even as a street vendor, blending into crowds to observe suspects unnoticed. Each disguise was meticulously planned, often requiring weeks or months of preparation to gather crucial evidence.

Born in Maharashtra in 1962, Rajani was inspired early on by her father, a CID sub-inspector. While studying Marathi literature at Ruparel College, she witnessed injustices around her. Her sharp instincts led her to help a classmate facing exploitation — an experience that would lay the foundation for her future career as a detective.

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She founded her detective agency in 1986, originally called Rajani Investigative Bureau, later renamed Rajani Pandit Detective Services. From marital disputes and corporate fraud to missing persons and political investigations, her agency grew steadily, employing a team of skilled detectives under her guidance.

Rajani’s career is studded with remarkable accomplishments. Apart from the numerous cases she has cracked, she has authored two Marathi books — Faces Behind Faces and Mayajal — and received the prestigious Hirkani Award for her work. Her life and career have also been featured in documentaries and media outlets, inspiring many to pursue investigative careers regardless of gender.

Rajani Pandit is more than a detective; she is a trailblazer for women in unconventional professions. Her life demonstrates that with ingenuity, courage, and perseverance, even the most challenging mysteries can be solved. From donning disguises to living undercover, she has shown that a woman can excel in a world that rarely expected her to.