A 26-year-old woman was allegedly raped inside a parked Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus at Pune’s Swargate bus depot in the early hours of February 25.
The accused, Dattatray Ramdas Gade, 37, a resident of Gunat village in Shirur taluka, is currently on the run, and Pune Police has launched an extensive manhunt to apprehend him.
The victim, a medical counsellor, was waiting for a bus to Phaltan, around 100 km away, when Gade approached her, addressing her as ‘didi’ (sister) to gain her trust.
He falsely claimed her bus was parked elsewhere and led her to an empty Shivshahi AC bus. Initially hesitant, she used her phone’s torch to look inside, at which point the accused followed her, bolted the door, and allegedly assaulted her before fleeing. CCTV footage captured him leading her towards the bus and later escaping.
Following the attack, the survivor boarded another bus to Phaltan but later returned to Pune after a friend urged her to report the crime. She immediately approached the police, leading to the registration of a formal case and the launch of a large-scale search operation.
Pune Police has deployed 13 teams, including eight from the Crime Branch and five from Swargate Police Station. Teams have also been dispatched outside the district.
Authorities have employed drones and canine units to search sugarcane fields in Shirur taluka, following intelligence suggesting Gade’s presence in the area. Despite extensive efforts, the suspect remains at large.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Smartana Patil announced a Rs 1 lakh reward for information leading to Gade’s arrest. Officials have also released his photograph and urged the public to provide any leads while ensuring informants’ identities remain confidential.
A History of Crimes
Investigations have revealed that Gade has multiple criminal cases, including theft, robbery, and chain-snatching, registered against him in Pune and Ahilyanagar districts.
He had been out on bail since 2019 for one of the offences, and a fresh theft case was filed against him in 2024. His brother was questioned by Pune Police on Wednesday. Authorities are also investigating whether Gade has committed previous sexual assaults.
The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has taken immediate action following the security lapse at the Swargate depot.
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has ordered a departmental inquiry, and all 23 security personnel at the depot have been removed for negligence. Two senior officers, the Assistant Transport Superintendent and the Bus Depot Manager, are under investigation and face suspension if found negligent.
MSRTC’s divisional controller, Pramod Nehul, confirmed an inquiry is ongoing to determine how the bus was left unlocked. Footage from all 20 CCTV cameras at the depot has been reviewed, capturing the accused leading the victim into the bus.
Forensic experts have examined the bus to collect evidence, and authorities confirmed that Gade was wearing a mask during the attack, initially complicating identification. However, police have successfully identified him through other evidence.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognizance of the incident, with Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar writing to the Director General of Police, requesting an action taken report within three days and a copy of the FIR.
The NCW has strongly condemned the crime, highlighting concerns over public safety, particularly with the accused still at large. The commission will closely monitor developments and take further action as needed.
Members of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) staged a demonstration at the depot on Thursday, demanding strict action and calling for the death penalty for the accused.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Vasant More led another protest, pressing for justice and enhanced security measures for women.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar described the incident as “shameful, painful, and infuriating,” assuring that strict action would be taken. State Commission for Women Chairperson Rupali Chakankar stressed the importance of self-defence training for women and called for fast-track legal proceedings to ensure swift justice.
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