Who Is Dattatraya Gade? Manhunt for Swargate Bus Rape Accused Begins
Who Is Dattatraya Gade? Manhunt for Swargate Bus Rape Accused Begins
A 36-year-old man with a criminal record allegedly raped a woman inside a parked bus at Swargate bus station in the early hours of February 25. The accused, Dattatraya Ramdas Gade, is absconding, and police have launched a manhunt.
The victim was waiting for a bus to Phaltan at around 5:45 am. A man approached her, called her “didi” (sister), and told her that her bus was at another platform.
He led her to an empty Shiv Shahi AC bus parked on the premises. The woman hesitated as the lights were off, but the man convinced her it was the correct bus. Once inside, he followed her, raped her, and then fled.
The accused also threatened her and told her not to reveal the crime.
Gade has multiple cases of theft, robbery, and chain-snatching in Pune and Ahilyanagar district. He was out on bail since 2019. A theft case was registered against him in Pune in 2024, and he was recently summoned by the police.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Smartana Patil said CCTV footage shows the woman walking with the accused. The incident happened despite many people and buses being present at the station.
The victim initially took another bus but later called a friend and was advised to report the crime. The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) revealed that the accused posed as a conductor to lure the woman inside the bus.
Police have formed eight teams to track him down.
