Pune Bus Rape: Accused was out on bail—Who is Dattatraya Gade?
Dattatraya Ramdas Gade, a history-sheeter out on bail since 2019, allegedly raped a 26-year-old woman inside a stationary state transport bus at Pune’s Swargate bus station on Tuesday morning. The incident sparked protests by Shiv Sena (UBT), with party workers vandalizing the security office.
Opposition leaders condemned the crime. NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule blamed the BJP-led Mahayuti government, while Deputy CM Ajit Pawar ordered a swift investigation and immediate arrest of the accused.
Who is Dattatraya Gade?
Gade, 36, has multiple cases of theft, robbery, and chain-snatching in Pune and Ahilyanagar. Police confirmed he secured bail in 2019. In 2024, he faced another theft charge in Pune. Officers questioned his brother and analyzed CCTV footage from Swargate bus station.
What happened at Swargate bus station?
According to the complaint, the woman was waiting for a bus to Phaltan at 5:45 AM when Gade approached her, calling her “didi” (sister). He misled her, claiming her bus had arrived at another platform. He then led her to an empty Shiv Shahi AC bus, where he raped her before fleeing. Police said he threatened her against reporting the crime.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Smartana Patil confirmed CCTV footage showed the woman walking with Gade. Several people and buses were present at the time. The victim initially did not approach the police. Instead, she boarded another bus and informed her friend during the journey. On her friend’s advice, she got down within the city limits and filed a complaint.
Investigation and security lapses
Police formed eight teams to track Gade. A Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) report revealed the bus arrived at Swargate from Solapur at 3:40 AM and was parked near a sugarcane juice shop. The accused allegedly posed as a conductor to lure the woman inside. Authorities learned about the incident four hours later.
Political reactions
Ajit Pawar condemned the crime as “painful, infuriating, and shameful,” demanding the death penalty for Gade. AIMIM leader Waris Pathan criticized Maharashtra’s law and order, questioning women’s safety despite government schemes like “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao.” Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Vasant More led protests at Swargate bus station.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) took suo motu cognizance and demanded immediate action. NCW chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar asked the DGP to submit an action-taken report within three days.
State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik ordered the replacement of all 23 private security guards at Swargate and directed MSRTC’s managing director to submit a report within seven days.
