NEW DELHI: A 26-year-old woman was allegedly raped inside a state transport bus early Tuesday morning when it was parked at Swargate bus stand in Pune, just a few meters away from the police station.
The victim stated that while waiting for a Phaltan-bound bus at 5.45 am on Tuesday, a man approached her, addressing her as ‘Didi’, and directed her to another platform claiming her bus had arrived. He led her to an unoccupied ‘Shiv Shahi’ AC bus in the station premises, news agency PTI reported.
Initially reluctant to enter the unlit bus, she was persuaded by the man who suggested she could verify using a torch. The woman reported to police that he followed her inside and committed the assault before escaping.
The police have identified the suspect as Dattatraya Ramdas Gade (36) through CCTV footage. He has previous cases of theft and chain snatching, according to Swargate police station officials.
The police said that they have deployed multiple teams to apprehend him.
Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar called the incident “extremely shameful, painful, and infuriating” and said that there is only one punishment and that is death penalty.
“I have personally instructed the Pune Police Commissioner to closely monitor the investigation and ensure immediate arrest of the accused. CM Devendra Fadnavis has also taken the incident seriously and has given the necessary instructions to the police. The police will arrest the accused at the earliest and the state government will take all necessary steps to ensure that the accused is given the harshest punishment,” Ajit Pawar said.
He gave assurance to all the people of Maharashtra and added that instructions have been given to the women and child development minister and the chairperson of the state women’s commission to provide justice, mental support, and all possible assistance to the victim.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Smartana Patil confirmed that surveillance footage showed the woman walking with the accused towards the bus.
DCP Smarthana Patil said, “A working woman was waiting for the bus to go back to her home…A man came and said that the bus to your place has been parked somewhere else and took the woman near the parked bus…Then, the man raped the woman…A complaint has been registered…We have identified the accused, and we are making all the efforts to nab him. The accused is identified as Dattatray Ramdas Gade. The victim is stable right now…”
The DCP noted that despite the presence of numerous people and buses, the victim initially continued her journey to Phaltan, discussing the incident with a friend over phone while travelling.
Following her friend’s counsel, she alighted within city limits and reported to the police station, Patil explained.
Officials confirmed the victim was stable and provided a clear statement, leading to registration of a rape case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The DCP revealed Gade’s previous cases in Shikrapur and Shirur police jurisdictions, with eight teams now pursuing his capture.
A canine unit has been deployed in the investigation.
This incident has sparked criticism from opposition leaders who criticised the home department, under chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, for inadequate handling of rising crime in Pune.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) workers smashed window panes and damaged furniture in the security office, while women activists raised slogans against the BJP-led Maharashtra government, according to news agency PTI.
“The incident that took place here, it happened in front of security cabin. If a woman is raped in front of security cabin, nobody has the right to sit there,” Vasant More justified the vandalism while talking to ANI.
NCP (SP) representative and Baramati MP Supriya Sule criticised the BJP-led government over the incident.
She highlighted the presence of nearby police posts and regular patrols in the area.
“Still such an assault takes place at Swargate, which shows that anti-social elements do not have any fear of law. The home department has failed to curb crime in Pune. The trial of this case should be held in a fast-track court and the accused must get a severe punishment,” Sule told reporters.
Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal noted increasing rape incidents in the state. He emphasised that MSRTC buses are vital for Maharashtra’s transport, yet now face such incidents.
“When the Nirbhaya gangrape incident took place in Delhi, people changed the regime. You (BJP-led government) promote Laadki Bahin scheme for women (providing financial aid), but ignore basic issues of the people,” he said.