Chapter 55: Formation of the Detective Agency
August 1984
The monsoon rains had left the roads glistening under the streetlamps, the rhythmic patter of water dripping from the tiled rooftops forming a subtle backdrop to the buzzing minds gathered inside the Singh household. The house, always full of activity, now bore the distinct undercurrent of something serious, something deliberate taking shape. Inside the main living room, maps, ledgers, and folders covered with meticulous notes were spread out like a battlefield plan.
Ajay sat at the center table, his sleeves rolled up, pen tapping against a register as he listened intently to Bharat and Colonel Rajvir. Across the room, Bharat, now accustomed to navigating complex discussions despite his young age, sipped warm milk quietly, his gaze firm and contemplative.
"So, Pitaji," Bharat said, pausing thoughtfully, "if we're going to deal with sabotage, corruption, and threats to our team and technology, we need more than just security. We need people who can investigate, gather evidence quietly, and expose the truth."
Ajay nodded. "A detective agency... Not a bad idea."
Rajvir, seated beside him with his arms folded, added, "And not just any agency. You need experienced hands. Retired officers. People who know how to investigate deep, handle delicate situations, and not leave a trace."
Building the Team
Ajay reached out to his old friends from university, many of whom were now professors in psychology, criminology, and sociology. With their help, they began identifying suitable candidates for recruitment. Among them were:
Retired officers from the Intelligence Bureau and RAW.
Former police inspectors who had served in high-profile crime divisions.
Experienced field agents from the Crime Investigation Department.
Investigative journalists known for their fearless exposés.
One of Ajay's college friends, Dr. Neeraj Sinha, now a professor of criminal psychology, helped craft psychological evaluation protocols for new recruits.
"You can't just hand a camera and badge to anyone," he told Ajay. "You need minds that know when to push, and when to pull back."
Setting Up the Department
By the second week of August, Ajay officially allocated a section of their new city office to house the Private Investigation & Evidence Department. Funding was approved from the central fund:
₹1.25 crore was initially allotted.
Equipment was transferred from film and sound research labs, including modified video cameras, portable recorders, and sound mics.
A batch of disguised devices was also under development — camera pens, button microphones, and magnetic reel recorders.
The office buzzed with early training sessions. Former officers coached the younger members. Bharat would often wander in, watching everything, occasionally asking questions like:
"How do you track someone without being seen?" or "What if the evidence is destroyed? Can we still prove it?"
Forensic Expansion
One retired CBI forensic analyst, Mr. N. Kulkarni, during an orientation session, said:
"You need a basic lab. Right now, you're relying on gut instinct and experience. But in this field, sometimes it's a drop of blood or a fiber of cloth that solves the case."
Ajay was intrigued. "So we build one," he said. "Start small, but efficient."
Thus, a small wing was sanctioned for the creation of a Forensic Science Support Unit, aimed at:
Testing chemical substances
Analyzing fingerprints
Audio-visual analysis
Document verification
The Dual Path — Public and Private
Bharat, always thinking two steps ahead, suggested during a family dinner:
"Pitaji, if we solve cases for others, like missing persons or fraud, we could run a public agency too. That would create jobs and help society."
Colonel Rajvir agreed. "There are many cases the police leave hanging due to pressure or red tape. A trusted private agency could bridge that gap."
Thus, the idea of a Private Public Case Division was born — to handle non-governmental investigations like:
Missing persons
Land disputes
Business frauds
Background verifications
Training and Moral Code
During orientation, retired ACP Sharma, a no-nonsense officer known in Delhi's police circles, stood before the first batch and thundered:
"You do this job for the truth. Not for money. Not for favors. Not to scare people. Our job is to collect facts, protect the innocent, and expose the wicked."
Bharat watched from the side, awed. These weren't just officers. They were legends in their fields.
Security Upgrades and Devices
The design team, in parallel, adapted military-grade surveillance equipment to civilian applications. Devices included:
Shoulder-worn audio bugs
Micro cassette recorders
Custom walkie-talkies with encryption
A prototype black box for office files (auto-destruct for sensitive evidence)
Ajay was careful about one thing: nothing unethical.
"We protect, we do not intrude. We're not building a spy state," he said.
Small Talks and Laughter
In between training, one of the younger recruits joked, "Sir, if I wear this pen camera to my mother-in-law's house, even she won't suspect!"
Everyone laughed. Colonel Rajvir, amused, added, "Just don't forget to switch it off at dinner, son, or you'll be recording every complaint about your hairstyle."
By the end of August 1984, the agency was running in full gear. Investigators had already started looking into sabotage at supply units, tracking movement of forged documents, and exposing fake contractor claims.
One evening, as Bharat looked over the names of the first batch of agents, he whispered to himself:
"Truth has its own army now."
Ajay placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "And you helped shape it."
The night wind blew gently outside. Inside, the lamp's glow flickered against a board full of blueprints, photos, and plans—a new chapter in Singh legacy had begun, one step closer to justice, one agency at a time.