NCW Requests Detailed Report on Pune Rape Incident from Maharashtra DGP
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Synopsis
The National Commission for Women has demanded a thorough investigation report from the Maharashtra DGP regarding a sexual assault case involving a 26-year-old woman in Pune's Swargate bus depot. The police are actively searching for the suspect, Dattatray Gade, amidst rising concerns about safety.
Key Takeaways
- NCW requests investigation into Pune bus assault.
- Suspect Dattatray Gade's whereabouts under scrutiny.
- Gade has a criminal history and previous robbery charges.
- Shiv Sena MP compares incident to the Nirbhaya case.
- Protests against rising crime in Pune by local activists.
Mumbai, Feb 27 (NationPress) The National Commission for Women (NCW) has expressed deep concern over the sexual assault of a 26-year-old woman that occurred within a bus at the Swargate bus depot in Pune, prompting a request for a comprehensive investigation report from the state police chief.
Vijaya Rahatkar, the Commission's chairperson, has formally written to the state Director General of Police, Rashmi Shukla, requesting both an investigation report and a copy of the victim's complaint.
In a related update, Pune Police are actively pursuing leads regarding the suspect, Dattatray Gade. Initial inquiries revealed that Gade’s brother stated that the suspect has not returned home and lacks a mobile phone. The police have also interrogated Gade’s girlfriend and summoned his parents for questioning.
According to police sources, Dattatray Ramdas Gade hails from Gunat village in Shirur taluka within Pune district. He possesses three acres of ancestral land and a family residence, with his parents engaged in agricultural work. Gade, who is currently unemployed, has resorted to robbery to secure quick funds. Reports indicate he has a history of criminal activity.
In 2019, Gade acquired a vehicle via loan to transport passengers between Pune and Ahilyanagar. During this period, he targeted elderly women adorned with jewellery, robbing them at knifepoint. He previously contested for a local government post under the state’s TantaMukti Abhiyan (dispute-free village campaign) but was unsuccessful.
Additionally, police sources noted that he participated in election duties during the recent Assembly elections. Gade was involved in a robbery incident at Kare Ghat near Shirur village in 2020, leading to previous convictions. He has multiple cases filed against him at various police stations, including Shikrapur, Supa, Kedgaon, and Kotwali in the Ahilyanagar district.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut has drawn parallels between the bus incident in Swargate and the infamous Nirbhaya case in Delhi, stating, “Fortunately, the victim's life was saved. Our Shiv Sainiks protested strongly at Swargate. Activists Vasant More, Sanjay More, and others have rallied against this incident. Now, cases will be initiated against them. There seems to be no fear of law among gangs in Pune. The Home Minister appears to be using the Home Department for political gains, primarily to intimidate the opposition,” he asserted.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray condemned the incident and questioned the direction Maharashtra is headed. “The same situation exists in Mumbai. There are attacks on the Marathi community as well. There is no fear of the police anymore,” he commented, commending party activists, including Vasant More, who protested at the Swargate bus depot.
