27 Feb, Thursday 2025: In a deeply distressing incident that has sparked outrage across Maharashtra, a 26-year-old woman was allegedly raped inside a stationary Maharashtra State Transport (MSRTC) bus at Pune’s busy Swargate Bus Station on the morning of February 25. The accused, identified as 36-year-old Dattatraya Ramdas Gade, remains absconding, while police have launched a large-scale manhunt to apprehend him.
The Incident: How It Unfolded
The victim, a domestic worker, was waiting for a bus to return to her village in Phaltan, Satara, when the accused reportedly approached her. Posing as a conductor, he engaged her in conversation, addressing her as ‘didi’ (sister) to gain her trust. He then falsely claimed that the bus for Satara had arrived at another platform and led her to an empty “Shiv Shahi” AC bus parked elsewhere within the bus station premises.
Despite her initial hesitation due to the lack of lights inside the bus, the accused convinced her that passengers were sleeping inside. Once she stepped in, he followed, locked the doors, and assaulted her before fleeing the scene. The survivor, deeply shaken, did not immediately report the crime. Instead, she boarded another bus for her hometown, where she later confided in a friend over a phone call. Encouraged by her friend, she disembarked within city limits and approached the police.
Police Investigation Underway
Upon receiving the complaint, Pune police registered a case and launched an investigation. Authorities have formed eight teams and deployed a canine sniffer unit to track down the accused. CCTV footage from the bus station is being analyzed for crucial leads.
According to police sources, the accused, Gade, is a habitual offender with multiple cases of theft, robbery, and chain-snatching registered against him in Pune’s Shikrapur and Shirur police station jurisdictions, as well as in Ahilyanagar district. He had been out on bail since 2019 in connection with a robbery case. Just last year, another theft case was lodged against him.
Accountability and Government Response
Authorities at Swargate Bus Station reportedly became aware of the incident only four hours later, around 10 AM. The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has since launched an internal inquiry against the depot manager and the traffic controller, with a report on their accountability expected within a week.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Smartana Patil confirmed that the survivor was hesitant to report the crime immediately but was ultimately encouraged by her friend to seek justice. “We have taken this matter with utmost seriousness, and all efforts are being made to ensure swift justice,” Patil stated.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar condemned the incident, calling it “extremely unfortunate, distressing, and infuriating.” He emphasized that the accused must face the harshest punishment, saying, “This crime is unforgivable, and there can be no punishment other than hanging.” Pawar assured that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also oversees the Home Department, has personally directed the police to expedite the investigation and arrest the accused at the earliest.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has also taken suo motu cognizance of the case, demanding urgent action from the authorities. The commission has called for a fair and time-bound investigation while ensuring all necessary support for the survivor.
Political Backlash and Public Outrage
The incident has triggered widespread public outrage, with opposition leaders criticizing the Fadnavis-led government for failing to curb rising crime in Pune. Shiv Sena (UBT) workers staged a protest at Swargate Bus Station, vandalizing the security office and smashing window panes. Party worker Vasant More questioned the security arrangements, stating, “If a woman can be raped just meters away from a security cabin, then nobody has the right to sit there.”
State Congress Chief Harshwardhan Sapkal also lashed out at the government, comparing the incident to the 2012 Nirbhaya case in Delhi. “The BJP is offering freebies for women while failing to provide basic safety,” he remarked.
NCP leader Supriya Sule expressed concern over the law-and-order situation, stating that the incident proves anti-social elements have no fear of the law. “Routine patrolling in such high-traffic public places is a basic necessity, and the home department has clearly failed,” she asserted.
Need for Stronger Security Measures
This shocking crime has raised serious concerns over safety at public transport hubs, especially for women traveling alone. Experts and activists are demanding stricter security measures, including increased surveillance, better patrolling, and stringent checks on unauthorized personnel posing as transport officials.
As the investigation continues, the primary focus remains on ensuring the swift arrest of the accused and securing justice for the survivor. The Maharashtra government has assured that all necessary steps will be taken to prevent such incidents in the future, but the incident has already left a deep scar on public trust in safety measures at transport hubs. As of the latest reports the identity of the alleged rapist is been revealed. Keep Reading Questiqa.in.
Get more News Headlines At Our Social Platforms And Do Follow.
