Police at Pune bus stop after woman raped in a parked state bus
NEW DELHI: A 26-year-old woman was allegedly raped inside a parked bus at Pune’s Swargate bus depot in the early hours of February 25. The victim, a working woman, was waiting for a bus to return to her home in Phaltan, about 100 km away, when the accused, Dattatray Ramdas Gade, approached her. He falsely told her that the bus to her destination was parked elsewhere and led her to an empty Shivshahi bus inside the depot. After convincing her to board, he followed her inside, where he allegedly committed the crime before fleeing the scene. Maharashtra’s transport minister, Pratap Sarnaik, has ordered a departmental inquiry. Both the Assistant Transport Superintendent and the Bus Depot Manager are under investigation, with instructions for suspension if negligence is found. In response, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has decided to replace all security personnel at the depot.
Pune rape case: Top developments
Poster of accused released: Massive manhunt launched, 1 lakh cash bounty announced
The Pune city police have released a poster of the suspect, urging the public to come forward with information. The poster mentions that a case under section 64, 351(2) of 2023 has been registered against the accused. As per the poster, “A case has been registered under section 64, 351(2) of 2023 and the said case is accused named Dattatray Ramdas Gade, age 37 years, Res. Gunat T. Shirur, Distt. Pune and he is a wanted accused in the registered crime. Information about accused Dattatray Gade Rs. 1,00,000/- (one lakh rupees) will be awarded. The name of the informant will be kept confidential.” Pune City Police have also launched an extensive search operation to apprehend the accused. A total of 13 teams, including eight from the Crime Branch and five from Swargate Police Station, are actively pursuing leads. Teams have also been dispatched outside the district. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Smartana Patil said, “We have declared a Rs 1 lakh cash award for anyone providing information leading to the accused’s arrest. Our teams are working around the clock.” Also read: Police announce Rs 1 lakh reward for information about the missing accused
Pune police switched to modern tools to nab accused
Pune police utilised drones and canine units in Shirur taluka of Pune district to locate the suspect in the Swargate bus rape case, as pressure intensified, officials confirmed. Working alongside Pune Rural police, authorities launched a search operation in Gunat village’s sugarcane fields, following intelligence suggesting Gade’s possible presence in the area, the official stated. The operation saw the arrival of numerous senior police officials and over 100 personnel at Gunat village during the afternoon hours, he noted. The team employed drone technology for aerial surveillance of the fields to locate Gade, he added. Additionally, authorities brought in a specialised dog squad to assist with the search efforts in the village, he mentioned.
All current security at Swargate depot to be replaced
In response to security lapses at the depot, MSRTC has taken immediate measures to enhance safety. The Transport Minister has ordered the replacement of all current security personnel at the Swargate depot. Pramod Nehul, MSRTC’s divisional controller, confirmed that an inquiry is underway to determine how the bus was left unlocked. “All 20 CCTV cameras at the depot were operational, and footage has captured the accused leading the victim into the bus,” he said. Additionally, 23 security personnel have been removed for negligence, and two senior officers are under departmental investigation, TOI had reported. Also read: Two depot officials face probe, 23 guards sacked
‘Accused was out on bail’
Dattatray Ramdas Gade has multiple criminal cases, including theft, robbery, and chain-snatching, registered against him in Pune and Ahilyanagar district, news agency PTI reported quoting officials. He was out on bail since 2019 for one of the offences. Past cases have been filed against him in Shikrapur and Shirur police jurisdictions. Police have formed eight teams to capture him. Gade also faces charges in Ahilyanagar. In 2024, a theft case was filed against him, and his brother was questioned by Pune police on Wednesday.
The survivor, a medical counsellor, narrated that she had reached the bus stand around 5:45 am when the accused approached her, calling her ‘didi’ (sister) to gain her trust. After falsely claiming her bus was parked elsewhere, he led her to an unlit, empty Shivshahi AC bus. Initially hesitant to enter, she used her phone’s torch to look inside, at which point the accused followed her, bolted the door, and allegedly raped her. CCTV footage captured the accused taking her towards the bus and later fleeing. Following the attack, the woman boarded another bus to Phaltan but later returned to Pune after her friend urged her to report the crime. She immediately approached the police, leading to a formal case registration and the launch of the manhunt. Also read: Traumatised survivor returns to city, goes to police after friend’s call
‘Accused wore mask’
Authorities have sent the bus for forensic examination to collect evidence. DCP Patil confirmed that the accused had worn a mask during the assault, making initial identification difficult. However, the police successfully identified him based on other evidence. Meanwhile, police teams conducted searches in Shirur taluka’s sugarcane fields based on a tip-off but failed to locate the suspect. As the search continues, law enforcement officials remain confident of apprehending the accused soon.
NCW takes cognizance
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognizance of the incident and demanded immediate action. NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has written to the Director General of Police, requesting an action taken report within three days, along with a copy of the FIR. The NCW condemned the crime, stressing concerns over public safety, especially with the accused still at large. The commission will closely monitor the case and take further action as needed.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with Opposition parties criticising the Maharashtra government for failing to ensure women’s safety. Protests erupted at Swargate bus stand, led by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Vasant More and other activists demanding justice. Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar called the crime “shameful, painful, and infuriating,” assuring strict action. State Commission for Women Chairperson Rupali Chakankar streesed the need for self-defence training for women and called for fast-track legal proceedings.
NCP-SP staged protest
Members and officials from the NCP-SCP, under Sharad Pawar’s leadership, organised a demonstration on Thursday at Pune’s Swargate bus depot, protesting against the recent rape incident and demanding severe punishment for the perpetrator. The demonstrators called for the death penalty for the accused and emphasised the urgent need for enhanced women’s security measures. The assault occurred on Tuesday when the victim, a working professional, was awaiting transport to Phaltan, situated approximately 100 km from the location. The perpetrator reportedly misled the victim by providing false information about her bus location, directing her to a stationary MSRTC Shivsahi bus within the depot premises, where he subsequently committed the assault.
