NEW DELHI: A 26-year-old woman was reportedly subjected to rape inside a state transport bus early on Tuesday morning while it was stationed at Swargate bus stand in Pune, mere meters from the police station.
The victim indicated that while she was awaiting a Phaltan-bound bus at 5:45 am, a man approached her, calling her ‘Didi’, and misled her to another platform, claiming her bus had arrived. He led her to an unoccupied ‘Shiv Shahi’ AC bus located within the station area, as reported by news agency PTI.
Initially hesitant to board the dimly lit bus, she was convinced by the man who suggested she could check using a torch. The woman informed the police that he followed her inside and assaulted her before fleeing.
Authorities have identified the suspect as Dattatraya Ramdas Gade (36) through CCTV footage. He has a record of previous offenses related to theft and chain snatching, according to officials from the Swargate police station.
The police confirmed that multiple teams have been formed to capture him. Deputy Commissioner of Police Smartana Patil validated that surveillance footage depicted the woman walking alongside the accused toward the bus.
DCP Patil stated, "A working woman was waiting for a bus to return home… A man approached her and told her that her bus was parked elsewhere, leading her near the stationary bus… He then proceeded to assault her… A complaint has been lodged… We have identified the accused and are making all necessary efforts to apprehend him. The suspect has been identified as Dattatraya Ramdas Gade. The victim is currently stable…"
The DCP noted that despite a significant number of people and buses present, the victim continued her journey towards Phaltan, discussing the incident with a friend over the phone while en route. Following her friend’s advice, she exited the bus within city limits and reported the incident at the police station, as explained by Patil.
Officials confirmed the victim’s stable condition and her ability to provide a clear statement, which facilitated the filing of a rape case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The DCP disclosed Gade’s previous cases recorded in Shikrapur and Shirur police jurisdictions, with eight teams currently engaged in the pursuit of his arrest. A canine unit has also been deployed in the probe.
This incident has incited criticism from opposition leaders who have condemned the home department, under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, for its inadequate management of rising crime levels in Pune.
Workers from the Shiv Sena (UBT) vandalized window panes and damaged furniture in the security office, while women activists protested against the BJP-led Maharashtra government, according to news agency PTI.
“The incident that occurred here took place in front of a security cabin. If a woman can be raped in front of a security cabin, nobody has the right to remain there,” Vasant More justified the act of vandalism while speaking with ANI.
NCP (SP) representative and Baramati MP Supriya Sule criticized the BJP-led administration over the incident, highlighting the proximity of police posts and regular patrols in the vicinity.
"Even with such a presence, an assault happens at Swargate, indicating that anti-social elements feel no fear of the law. The home department has failed to prevent crime in Pune. This case must be tried in a fast-track court, and the accused should receive severe punishment," Sule told reporters.
Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal pointed to the increasing incidents of rape within the state, emphasizing the importance of MSRTC buses in Maharashtra’s transportation, now marred by such occurrences.
"When the Nirbhaya gang rape incident transpired in Delhi, the regime changed. You (the BJP-led government) promote the Laadki Bahin scheme for women (providing financial support), yet neglect fundamental issues affecting the populace," he expressed.
