The outrage over the sexual assault on a 26-year-old woman continues to grow in Pune, with students, party workers, and activists staging a protest at the Swargate bus depot on Thursday (February 27, 2025). The Pune City Police deployed 13 teams, put into service a drone, dog squad, and released a poster and announced ₹1 lakh reward to nab the suspect in the rape of the woman, hailing from Phaltan, 100 km from Pune.
A Shirur-based man allegedly raped the woman inside a stationed bus at Pune’s Swargate bus depot on February 25. The survivor was waiting for a bus to return to her hometown when the incident occurred.
The protesters led by the Stree Mukti League raised slogans of “nyay dya, suraksha dya [give justice, give safety]”, while social activist Trupti Desai criticised the government for the delay in making arrest. “Such incidents reflect failure of the police in providing safety to women. It has been over 48 hours, yet the suspect is absconding,” she said.
NCP-SCP workers also staged a demonstration at the Swargate bus depot. NCP-SP leader Supriya Sule posted a letter from the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) addressed to the police concerning private agents and anti-social elements. She mentioned, “Despite warnings, the police failed to act. Home Minister needs to review the law and order situation in Pune.” The letter dated February 22, 2025, described the anti-social activities, and sought police intervention.
Meanwhile, the police have intensified their search operations for the accused. Among the 13 teams, eight are from the Crime Branch and five from the Swargate police station. A drone is deployed for the aerial surveillance as the suspect is likely to hide in sugarcane fields.
The wanted poster of the accused mentions that “Dattatray Ramdas Gade, age 37 years, residence Gunat T. Shirur, District Pune and he is a wanted accused in the registered crime. For information about accused Dattatray Gade, ₹1 lakh will be awarded. The name of the informant will be kept confidential.”
The investigative officers have sent the bus, where the incident occurred, for forensic investigation.
Police also revealed that the history-sheeter accused was out on bail since 2019. Dattatray Ramdas Gade was earlier booked for robbery and chain-snatching.
Security audit
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik ordered security audit at all the bus stands and depots across the State.
Mr. Sarnaik directed removal of registered buses parked in bus stations and depots by April 15 and increase women security guards at all bus stations as women passengers were increasing.
“An updated CCTV system based on AI technology should be set up in all bus stations and depots. CCTV should be installed in new buses. The work of installing GPS system in buses should be completed speedily. Every ST employee working at the bus stand should be given identity card, so that no one would rob the passengers by pretending to be an employee,” instructed Mr. Sarnaik at the review meeting held to discuss safety of women passengers at bus stands.
He also wanted an Indian Police Service officer appointed for the vacant post of Chief Security and Vigilance Officer at the MSRTC.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde condemned the incident and said such people should be hanged.
