“The Private Detective Agencies (Regulation) Bill, 2007” was introduced in the Rajya Sabha today, which provides for regulation of private detective agencies through the grant of licences by the appropriate authorities. The main objective of the proposed legislation is to ensure that the private detective agencies function within legal parameters and under proper norms and that they conduct their operations with due regard to the protection of rights of individuals. The Private Detective Agencies (Regulation) Bill, 2007 is on similar lines as The Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005, which is already in force.

In the recent years, a large number of private detective agencies have come up all over the country, whose services are being availed by the private establishments and individuals for private investigation. There have been suggestions that the functioning of these private detective agencies should be regulated by a law.

A suggestion to enact a central legislation was made in 2005 during discussions on “The Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Bill, 2005” in the Rajya Sabha, wherein it was suggested to bring a law to regulate the private detective agencies. Hon’ble Union Home Minister had given an assurance to come to the House with a Bill for this purpose.