Manhunt Underway for Suspect in Pune Bus Assault; Rs 1 Lakh Reward Offered
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Synopsis
Pune Police have announced a Rs 1 lakh reward for information leading to the arrest of Dattatray Gade, the main suspect in a severe bus assault case, which has caused public outcry over safety in public transport.
Key Takeaways
- Reward of Rs 1 lakh for arrest information.
- Dattatray Gade has a criminal history.
- Incident occurred at Swargate bus stand.
- Victim reported the assault after reaching home.
- Safety measures for women passengers to be enhanced.
Pune, Feb 27 (NationPress) The Pune Police have issued a reward of Rs 1 lakh for information leading to the capture of Dattatray Gade, the main suspect in the disturbing Pune bus rape case.
The notorious criminal has been evading capture for the last 48 hours, leading to a comprehensive police hunt for his arrest.
The alarming event took place around 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday at the Swargate bus stand in Pune, where a 26-year-old woman was reportedly assaulted inside a Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus.
According to reports, the victim had reached the bus stand to catch a bus to her hometown in Satara district when the suspect, who was loitering in the area, approached her with deceitful intentions.
As per police accounts, Gade tricked the woman by directing her to a different bus, falsely stating it was going to her destination. Trusting his deceptive words, she boarded the bus, only for him to follow her inside and perpetrate the crime before making his escape.
The traumatized woman eventually caught another bus to her hometown, where she confided in a friend about the assault and subsequently filed a police report.
Pune Deputy Commissioner of Police Smartana Patil confirmed that Gade has a criminal background and had been previously apprehended by Pune Rural Police. Authorities are diligently pursuing leads to ensure his capture.
In response to the incident, Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has swiftly initiated a departmental investigation against the station master and depot manager at the Swargate bus stand.
The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has also made changes to the security personnel at the location and has been instructed to provide a comprehensive report within the next week.
In a statement from the MSRTC, in view of the increasing number of female passengers under the 'Mahila Samman Yojana,' Sarnaik has called for a meeting with senior transport officials to improve safety measures for women riders. He cautioned that any lapse on the part of officials would lead to immediate disciplinary action.
This incident has ignited public outrage, raising significant concerns regarding safety at public transportation facilities. Authorities are under pressure to deliver swift justice for the victim while reinforcing safety protocols for women travelers.
