Pune Bus Rape Accused Caught On CCTV, Massive Police Hunt Underway
Pune Swargate Bus Rape Case: Accused Dattatraya Gade, A Repeat Offender, Was Out On Bail Since 2019Â Â
A 26-year-old woman was raped inside a parked bus at Pune’s Swargate ST stand, just meters away from the police station, sparking outrage and raising concerns over women’s safety.
CCTV footage captured an unidentified man pointing at a stationary bus while providing details about the incident. The accused, identified as Dattatraya Ramdas Gade, a habitual offender with multiple criminal records, was also seen in the footage.
According to police, the victim, a hospital counselor, was waiting for a bus when Gade tricked her into entering a parked Shiv Shahi AC bus by falsely claiming her bus had arrived at another platform. When she asked about other passengers, he assured her they were inside. As soon as she stepped in, he locked the doors and assaulted her.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Smartana Patil confirmed that the accused had been identified and that efforts were underway to track him down. Gade, a repeat offender with previous cases of chain-snatching and theft, has been on the run since the incident.
Political leaders, including Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Vasant More, have condemned the lack of security at the transport hub, pointing out that the crime took place in front of a security cabin. Public outrage has led to protests, with demands for stricter surveillance and better policing.
Pune Police have formed seven special teams to apprehend the accused, while citizens continue to question the safety measures at one of Maharashtra’s busiest transport hubs.
