Pune Bus Rape Incident: Suspect Dattatraya Gade Captured by Authorities
Click to start listening
Synopsis
The Pune Police have detained Dattatraya Gade, the suspect in the alleged rape of a 26-year-old woman inside a bus at Swargate bus station. Gade, with a criminal history, was captured after extensive search efforts, prompting discussions on enhancing security at transport facilities.
Key Takeaways
- Dattatraya Gade was arrested for allegedly raping a woman in a bus.
- The incident occurred at Swargate bus station in Pune.
- Authorities deployed drones and police teams to locate Gade.
- Maharashtra government is considering capital punishment for the accused.
- Security audits at bus depots are being mandated by the Transport Minister.
New Delhi, Feb 28 (NationPress) The Pune Police apprehended the alleged perpetrator who reportedly assaulted a 26-year-old woman inside a parked bus at Swargate bus station in Shirur Tehsil on Friday.
As per reports, the suspect Dattatray Gade was taken into custody by the Pune Police around midnight in the Shirur tehsil area.
Gade has multiple allegations against him, including theft, robbery, and chain-snatching in the districts of Pune and Ahilyanagar. He has been on bail since 2019 for one of these offenses.
On Thursday, the Pune Police utilized drones and a canine unit to locate Gade, who allegedly assaulted the woman inside a Shiv Shahi bus from the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) at Swargate bus station two days prior.
To capture Gade, at least 13 police teams were established, focusing on his residence in Gunat village.
Pune City and Pune Rural Police initiated a thorough search operation in Gunat village, scouring sugarcane fields with drones and dogs, officials reported. Over 100 police officers were dispatched to the village.
Swargate is recognized as one of the largest bus depots operated by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC).
The survivor recounted that while she was waiting for a bus to Phaltan in Satara district around 5:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Gade approached her, referring to her as 'didi' (sister), and claimed that the bus for Satara had arrived at a different platform.
He led her to an unoccupied 'Shiv Shahi' AC bus parked at a different location. Although the lights in the bus were off, she hesitated to enter, but Gade assured her it was the right bus. Gade then followed her and assaulted her, as the woman, who is employed in the medical field, reported to the police.
Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde mentioned on Thursday that the government would advocate for the death penalty for the accused, while Shiv Sena MLA Nilesh Rane proposed re-establishing the “encounter squad”.
The suspect, Dattatray Ramdas Gade (37), has a history of criminal activities, encompassing theft, robbery, and chain-snatching in Pune and Ahilyanagar. He had been on bail since 2019 for one of the charges.
After evading capture for over two days, Gade was detained by authorities on the night between Thursday and Friday, following the deployment of 13 police teams to locate him.
On Thursday, law enforcement officials announced a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh for any information leading to the arrest of the suspect.
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has ordered an immediate security review of all bus terminals and depots statewide in response to the incident at the Swargate depot in Pune.
According to a statement released on Thursday, the minister also mandated the removal of all registered buses parked at depots and bus stations, along with vehicles seized by transport offices by April 15.
Highlighting the increasing number of female passengers, Sarnaik emphasized the necessity of deploying additional women security personnel at bus stations.
