Gender stereotypes have long been a concern in our society. Most people might assume that a position like “detective” belongs to a male. With the Lady James Bond of India, these limitations of conventional notions have been broken. Even though it might be difficult to believe, Rajani Pandit, a lady James Bond, actually exists in our nation. A detective’s existence is filled with challenges, patience, and clever thinking.
Our lady Sherlock, who has over 80,000 crime puzzles solved in her career spanning over 22 years, embodies all these qualities.
The desire to learn more about her identity must have grown significantly, right? We won’t take up any more of your time, but Rajani Pandit is the only female detective in India.
Rajani Pandit, our very own ‘Lady James Bond’, the first Indian female detective
Rajani Pandit, a native of Maharashtra, was born in 1962. She is from a middle-class family in the Thane district of Palghar. She has enjoyed reading mysteries and spy novels ever since she was a young girl. Mr Shantaram Pandit, her father, was a police officer in Palghar. It is plausible to assume that it may have inspired her to pursue the career path she ultimately picked.
Rajani had a lifelong fascination with espionage, but it wasn’t until she was in college that she really took her interest in sleuthing seriously. She took up a case while enrolled in a Marathi literature course at Mumbai’s Ruparel College. This was the case that paved the way for her professional career.
A case from her college helped Rajani realize her potential
Rajani ran upon a case when she was in college. One of her classmates was a prostitute client. She instantly understood that her classmate was being exploited and preyed upon. She contacted her classmate’s parents out of concern. They initially didn’t have faith in her. However, merely telling people about it had little effect. She went ahead and obtained photographic proof as a result, enabling the father of her classmates to take appropriate action.
This situation, in Pandit’s opinion, helped her discover her potential. Her classmate’s family appreciated her assistance and advised her to work as a detective full-time. As she learned more about becoming a detective, she came to the conclusion that there aren’t many educational requirements. You just need to work diligently, focus and be zealous about your work. All of these insights led her to start her own agency.
‘Rajani Pandit Detective Services’, Rajani’s very own detective agency made in 1991
Rajani declared her intention to become a private detective after completing her education. Her father initially expressed some scepticism about her chosen profession, but he quickly joined in to support his daughter. Her mother had always been there for her. This ultimately led her to launch her own agency in 1991.
At the tender age of 25, she established her business in Mahim under the name Rajani Pandit Detective Services. She did this in order to disprove all stereotypes about what women can and cannot do in the workplace. She had to fight hard in the beginning. So much so that she was unable to even secure newspaper ad space. She persevered despite this though. After 20 years, her agency had 30 detectives and routinely handled around 20 cases per month.
Although it is important to note that Rajani had a brief stint as an office clerk before starting her own firm. In the office, one of her coworkers required her assistance with a case involving money theft. She used pure genius to solve the case. Her first-ever paid job was that one.
To solve crimes, Rajani disguised herself in plenty of different roles
Back in 1998, in an interview, she shared that
“Fear was not a word in her dictionary”
As a result, our own Indian female investigator used to assume various identities in order to investigate cases without any fear. Rajani posed as a maidservant, a blind person, a pregnant person, a street seller, and other characters to solve several riddles.
As a detective, Rajani has had some very interesting experiences. She discusses how certain cases turned out to be significantly more challenging than others. She described one of her most challenging investigations, where she worked undercover as a maid in the home of a lady who was thought to have killed her husband and son. Though difficult, she was able to find the solution. Rajani disclosed,
“One day, the hitman who she (the suspected woman) hired, came to pay her a visit. That’s when I knew it was my chance. So I cut my foot with a knife and told them that I had to go out to get bandaged. I ran out, went to an STD booth, and called the client to come home with the police. They were both arrested that day!”
Detective Rajani Pandit solved over 80,000 cases without a doubt the best lady detective out there
She decided against getting married and starting a family because she is so committed to her profession. Her major aim is to aid in the investigation of crimes in her country.
She has so far authored the award-winning novels Face Behind Face and Mayajal to inform readers about her life and work as a detective. She has also received the Hirkani award from Doordarshan for her achievements as a woman. Additionally, a documentary about Lady James Bond’s career was produced. A full film on her career as an investigator is also available.
Salutations to this legend for all of his efforts to improve living conditions in India. She provides excellent proof that women can accomplish anything if they put their minds to it. This unsung hero who demonstrated this point must be known to everyone.
“a detective is born not made!”
and we cannot agree more!
