By Aejaz Ahmed Ansari
Mumbai, Nov 12: A growing trend of marital discord and infidelity is surfacing within Mumbai’s affluent and educated circles, where a rising number of couples are turning to private investigation agencies for proof of extramarital involvement before initiating divorce proceedings.
This development reflects the evolving nature of modern relationships and the increasing influence of technology, social media, and lifestyle pressures on marital stability among the city’s upper middle and professional classes. In a recent case that epitomises this emerging pattern, a prominent doctor couple from the Malad area saw their marriage collapse due to allegations of infidelity.
The husband, an ENT specialist, and his wife, a practising dentist, once shared a stable and harmonious relationship. However, within months, their marital bond began to erode amid growing distrust and emotional distance.
What began as minor disagreements gradually evolved into persistent conflict. The husband reportedly grew uneasy about his wife’s excessive use of her mobile phone and her withdrawal from household responsibilities, childcare, and family interactions. Although these behavioural changes raised concerns, he initially dismissed them to maintain family peace and avoid public embarrassment.
Matters escalated when the husband travelled abroad on professional duty. During his absence, his mother began reporting troubling observations about the daughter-in-law’s conduct frequent outings, late-night returns, and minimal involvement in family or clinic-related activities. These accounts deepened the husband’s suspicions, prompting him to seek clarity.
Despite having CCTV surveillance installed in his medical facility, the husband remained uncertain about the reality of the situation. He subsequently approached Swift Detective and Investigation Agency, operated by Detective Priya Kakade, a well-known private investigator specialising in matrimonial and corporate cases.
Detective Kakade initiated discreet but comprehensive surveillance of the woman’s movements. Her methodical investigation, involving continuous observation and evidence gathering, revealed that the wife was maintaining multiple simultaneous extramarital relationships. The agency compiled substantial evidence, including recorded footage from several hotels and lodges, conclusively confirming the infidelity.
The revelation was emotionally devastating for the husband. Yet, considering the welfare of their children and the family’s social reputation, the couple chose not to pursue criminal proceedings. Instead, after discussions involving both families, they mutually agreed to dissolve their marriage formally and amicably. The investigation helped the family navigate the emotional and social complexities surrounding the case with dignity.
According to Kakade, such cases are becoming alarmingly common across metropolitan India, particularly among well-educated and professionally established couples. She attributes this increase to excessive mobile phone use, emotional detachment, and the growing dependence on digital communication.
Many spouses, she notes, are now seeking concrete evidence through professional investigators before initiating legal separation. Kakade’s professional assessment indicates a steep rise in divorce cases linked to infidelity over recent years. She revealed that many couples now approach detectives within months of marriage to collect evidence for future legal action.
According to her findings, demanding professional schedules in sectors such as information technology, healthcare, and finance often deprive couples of quality time together, creating emotional isolation. This lack of connection frequently leads individuals to seek companionship and validation outside their marriages. Over time, casual emotional interactions through social media and messaging platforms evolve into intimate relationships, undermining marital bonds.
Kakade further observed that changing attitudes toward personal freedom and self-expression have normalised romantic exploration outside marriage among certain urban demographics. “Many individuals no longer view extramarital relationships as moral failings but as emotional escapes or personal choices,” she said.
“However, such attitudes are steadily eroding the sanctity of marriage and the trust that holds relationships together.”
She emphasised that modern couples increasingly rely on digital evidence photographs, call logs, GPS tracking, and hotel surveillance to substantiate claims in court, replacing traditional verbal accusations. In another case cited by Detective Kakade, involving another doctor couple, the wife displayed marital neglect soon after marriage and after childbirth became disengaged from domestic life, spending extended hours on social media and frequently leaving home under the pretext of emergency medical calls.
When the husband confronted her about her behaviour, she retaliated with allegations of domestic abuse and financial harassment. The husband then sought professional investigative support, which uncovered irrefutable proof of her extramarital involvement. This evidence, later produced in court, led to the rejection of her claims for maintenance and child custody.
Kakade cautioned that infidelity and marital breakdowns are no longer limited to middle-class families. “Such cases are now widespread among the elite and educated segments of society people with professional degrees, financial security, and high social standing,” she noted. (UNI)
