Pune bus rape accused Dattatraya Gade arrested: Police
Pune Police arrested Dattatray Ramdas Gade on Friday for allegedly raping a 26-year-old woman inside a stationary bus at Swargate bus station. DCP Smarthana Patil confirmed the arrest.
Gade has a criminal record, with multiple cases of theft, robbery, and chain-snatching in Pune and Ahilyanagar districts. He had been out on bail since 2019.
Massive Police Search Led to Arrest
Police launched an extensive operation to track Gade. They deployed drones, a dog squad, and at least 13 police teams in Shirur tehsil. Officers searched Gunat village, including sugarcane fields, with over 100 cops involved.
Survivor’s Account
The woman, who works in the medical field, was waiting for a bus to Phaltan at Swargate bus station around 5:45 am on Tuesday. Gade approached her, calling her “didi” (sister), and claimed her bus had arrived at another platform.
He led her to an empty Shiv Shahi AC bus, convincing her it was the right one. She hesitated due to the darkness inside, but he persuaded her to enter. Once inside, he followed and raped her.
Swargate Bus Station’s Importance
Swargate is one of Maharashtra’s largest bus depots, serving thousands of passengers daily. The crime has raised serious concerns about safety at transport hubs.
Authorities have assured strict action against Gade. The investigation continues as police examine security lapses at the bus station.
