Premarital Checks on the Rise: Families Seek Clarity After Lohagarh Murder Case
Mumbai, India – In the aftermath of the Lohagarh murder case, where Pune woman allegedly pushed her fiancé Ketan Agarwal to his death in June, families across Maharashtra are taking a more proactive approach to premarital background checks. Our investigation reveals a significant increase in enquiries for premarital investigations from families seeking to verify the credentials of their prospective brides or grooms.
A Growing Trend
Detective agencies in Mumbai report a surge in premarital background checks, with families no longer content with relying on traditional methods of verification such as meeting relatives, checking jobs, and matching horoscopes. Instead, they want to match facts, ensuring that their loved ones are entering into a marriage with a person who is genuinely committed to the relationship.
“We’ve seen a significant increase in requests for premarital background checks since the Lohagad incident,” said a staffer from a Mumbai-based detective agency. “Families want to know if the prospective bride or groom has had previous relationships that haven’t been disclosed.”
Cases of Infidelity and Financial Secrets
Our investigation has uncovered several instances where premarital background checks have revealed shocking secrets. In one case, an engagement was called off after a family discovered that the prospective bride remained friends with a former college crush, despite her explanations that the relationship had never progressed beyond youthful infatuation.
In another instance, a Gujarati family withdrew from an alliance after discovering that the prospective groom regularly shared a pool cab to work with a female colleague, even though there was no evidence of an inappropriate relationship.
Not every investigation ends over matters of the heart, however. One Mumbai family cancelled their daughter’s engagement after investigators found that the prospective groom had concealed substantial debts and ongoing legal disputes. In another case, a groom’s family walked away after discrepancies emerged in the prospective bride’s educational qualifications and employment history.
Heightened Concerns Over Marital Safety
The Lohagarh murder case, along with a string of high-profile marital murder cases across the country, has heightened concerns over hidden relationships, financial troubles, concealed personal histories, and alleged violent behaviour.
Among the most widely discussed cases was the murder of Indore businessman Raja Raghuvanshi during his honeymoon in Meghalaya in 2025, in which police accused his wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, of conspiring with hired killers. Another case involved a newlywed woman in Bihar who was arrested for allegedly plotting her husband’s murder just 45 days after their wedding.
The Fine Line Between Due Diligence and Intrusion
While families are increasingly seeking premarital background checks, legal experts caution that there is a fine line between due diligence and intrusion. Public records, lawful enquiries, and consent-based verification are legitimate, but accessing private messages, confidential call records, or hacking social media accounts is not.
Retired IPS officer-turned-lawyer Y P Singh said background verification itself is not illegal, provided investigators stay within the law. “A general verification for checking the background of a person may not amount to a criminal offence if it is done with discretion and in an unobtrusive manner,” he said.
The Rise of Online Matrimonial Websites and Dating Apps
Cyber consultant Rohan Shah attributed the rise in background checks to the growing popularity of matrimonial websites and dating apps. Unlike traditional arranged marriages, where families often knew each other through relatives or community networks, online matches connect strangers.
As families increasingly turn to online platforms to find their perfect match, the need for premarital background checks is becoming more pressing. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, one thing is clear: families will no longer settle for anything less than a thorough verification of their loved ones’ credentials.