Pune Police have put up a reward of Rs 1 lakh for information leading to the arrest of Dattatraya Ramdas Gade, the accused who raped a 27-year-old woman in a parked bus at the crowded Swargate Bus Stand. The crime was committed just 100 meters away from a police station, and it has outraged people across the city.

Gade, 36, is a long-time offender, with a minimum of six earlier instances of robbery, theft, and chain-snatching reported from Pune and its surrounding Ahilyanagar district. He had been out on bail since 2019, reported news agency PTI. The accused has now been evading law enforcement for over 48 hours.

To locate Gade, the police have constituted 13 special squads, of which eight are from the Crime Branch. His family members and close friends have been interrogated by officers while teams have been sent to railway stations and bus stops in the city.

"Identification was delayed as the accused was wearing a face mask," said Pune DCP (Zone II) Smartana Patil. Authorities are scrutinizing CCTV footage and other leads in an effort to apprehend him.

The young woman, a domestic worker, was waiting for a bus to her hometown in Satara district when she was approached by Gade. She recounted to the police that he addressed her as 'didi' (sister) and inquired about her destination. Convincing her that a parked bus was headed to her town, he led her to the unlit vehicle, assuring her that the darkness was due to passengers being asleep.

Once inside, Gade locked the doors and assaulted her before fleeing the scene. The shaken victim confided in a friend, who encouraged her to file a police complaint.

Authorities promptly lodged the case and reviewed CCTV footage to initiate their investigation. The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), facing scrutiny for its security failures, has since replaced guards at the depot and launched an internal inquiry. A report on the incident is expected within a week.

MSRTC, India's biggest public transport company, operates a fleet of more than 14,000 buses and transports over 55 lakh passengers every day. The gruesome crime has raised grave concerns regarding passenger security at transport stations.

The crime has caused a political storm, and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition has held the BJP-led Mahayuti state government responsible for not ensuring women's safety.

Congress state chief Harshwardhan Sapkal condemned the government for focusing on 'freebies' ahead of security steps for women. NCP leader Supriya Sule also criticized the BJP, wondering if it could ensure citizens' safety.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar termed the crime "extremely unfortunate, distressing, and infuriating," promising firm action.

"The crime committed by the accused in this case is unforgivable, and there can be no punishment other than hanging. I have personally instructed the Pune Police Commissioner to take a hands-on approach in investigating this matter," Pawar declared.

He also assured that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has given serious thought to the case, instructing law enforcement officials to provide quick justice. "The accused will be arrested at the earliest, and we will ensure that he receives the harshest punishment under the law," he added.

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