A terrible crime took place at Swargate bus station in Pune on Tuesday morning. A 26-year-old woman was raped inside a parked state transport bus. The accused, Dattatraya Ramdas Gade, has a history of criminal activities and has been out on bail since 2019. The shocking incident has led to strong political reactions, protests, and an ongoing police investigation.

Who is Dattatraya Ramdas Gade?

Dattatraya Ramdas Gade, 36, has a criminal record with multiple cases of theft, robbery, and chain-snatching against him. According to a Swargate police station official, these cases were registered in Pune and nearby Ahilyanagar district.

Gade has been involved in several crimes in the past. He was released on bail in 2019 for one of his earlier offenses. In 2024, he was again accused of theft in Pune and was called to the police station for questioning. The police have started questioning his brother to gather more information. They are also checking CCTV footage from the Swargate bus station and nearby places to track his movements. A police team has been assigned to find him quickly and arrest him.

How did the incident happen?

The woman, who works in the private medical field, was waiting for a bus to Phaltan in Satara district at around 5:45 AM. A man approached her, called her ‘didi’ (sister), and lied to her, saying that her bus was at a different platform. He took her to an empty ‘Shiv Shahi’ AC bus that was parked in another part of the station. She hesitated to enter because the bus was dark inside, but he convinced her that it was the correct one. Once she stepped in, he followed her, raped her, and then ran away. Before leaving, he also threatened her, warning her not to tell anyone about the crime.

The woman did not report the incident immediately. Instead, she took another bus to her hometown. While traveling, she spoke to her friend on the phone and told her what had happened. On her friend’s advice, she got off within the city limits and went to the police station to file a complaint.

What do the police say?

Deputy Commissioner of Police Smartana Patil said that CCTV footage shows the woman walking towards the bus with the accused. The incident happened in a busy area with many people and buses around. To catch the accused, the police have formed eight special teams. They are carefully checking CCTV footage to track where he went after the crime. The police are also investigating how the security at the bus station failed to stop such an incident from happening.

Details about the bus and security lapses

The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) released a report about the incident. According to the report, the bus where the woman was attacked had arrived from Solapur at around 3:40 AM on February 25. It was parked near a sugarcane juice shop inside the bus station. The accused pretended to be a bus conductor and tricked the woman into getting inside.

The authorities at Swargate bus station only found out about the crime at 10 AM, nearly four hours after it happened. After the incident, state transport minister Pratap Sarnaik took strict action. All 23 private security guards at the bus station have been removed and will be replaced. MSRTC Managing Director Vivek Bhimanwar has been asked to conduct a departmental inquiry and submit a report within seven days.

Strong political reactions

The incident has sparked strong political reactions across Maharashtra. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar called the crime "painful, infuriating, and shameful" and said the accused should receive the death penalty. He directed the Pune police commissioner to personally investigate the case and ensure the accused is arrested quickly. Baramati MP Supriya Sule from the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) criticized the BJP-led Mahayuti government over the incident.

AIMIM leader Waris Pathan also condemned the crime and questioned the state’s law and order, asking why such incidents happen despite government campaigns like 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' and schemes like 'Ladli Behna Yojana.' Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Vasant More led a protest at the Swargate bus stand, where the incident took place.

National Commission for women takes action

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken notice of the case on its own. NCW chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has written to the Director General of Police, demanding a quick report on the action taken so far. The commission has also asked for a copy of the FIR and an update on the investigation within three days.

What happens next?

The Pune police are making all efforts to find and arrest the accused. They are carefully examining CCTV footage and using other technical tools to gather clues. Several police teams have been assigned to track down Gade and make sure he is caught. Meanwhile, the state government has assured strict action against those responsible for security lapses at the bus station.

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