Pune: Woman Assaulted on State Transport Bus; Political Leaders React
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Synopsis
A 26-year-old woman was allegedly assaulted on a Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation bus at a Pune bus stand. The police are searching for the identified history-sheeter suspect, while political leaders express outrage at the state of women's safety.
Key Takeaways
- A 26-year-old woman was assaulted in Pune.
- The police are in pursuit of a history-sheeter.
- Political leaders are condemning the state government’s handling of women's safety.
- The incident occurred at Swargate bus station.
- Calls for fast-track justice are being made.
Mumbai, Feb 26 (NationPress) A 26-year-old woman was reportedly assaulted inside a Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus at a bus stand in Pune, as per officials on Wednesday.
The police have identified the alleged perpetrator as a history-sheeter and have initiated an extensive search for him.
Both ruling and opposition parties expressed strong condemnation of this incident on Wednesday, directing their criticism towards Chief Minister and state Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis regarding the apparent rise in cases of rape and molestation within the state.
Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar stated on the social media platform X, "A shocking case of rape has occurred at Swargate bus station. A 26-year-old woman was taken to a closed Shivshahi bus and assaulted during the early hours. It is even more concerning that the police have yet to apprehend the accused."
He further remarked, "It is deeply shameful that the Pune Police, who recently recovered a plane belonging to the son of former Mahayuti minister and MLA Tanaji Sawant, have not managed to arrest the perpetrator in this matter. How long will the state's home department continue to neglect women's safety? Will the MSRTC administration take responsibility? What were the employees doing at Swargate bus station during this incident? Where is the Transport Minister?"
NCP-SP MP Supriya Sule described the incident as "extremely infuriating".
Sule commented, "A case of sexual assault on a young woman has surfaced in a busy area like Swargate. Notably, a police post is located near the bus stand, and police patrol the area periodically. Yet, the audacity of the perpetrator to commit such a heinous act indicates a lack of fear for the law. This incident raises serious questions about the safety of women in this state, with serious crimes occurring daily in Pune."
She added, "The Home Department has failed to curb such incidents. This case exemplifies the decline in law and order. The accused must face the strictest punishment, and we demand this case be expedited through a fast-track court."
Shiv Sena spokesman Krishna Hegde called it a "horrific and disturbing incident." He confirmed that the alleged serial offender has been identified and that a manhunt is underway for his capture. "We trust that police will apprehend him swiftly and justice will prevail," he stated.
State Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal alleged that women are not safe in the state due to the Mahayuti government’s apparent lack of seriousness regarding women's safety and security.
The incident took place around 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday when the woman was present at the bus stand to catch a bus to her hometown in the Satara district.
The accused, who was loitering around the bus stand, allegedly misled her into boarding another bus, claiming it was her intended destination.
Believing the accused, she boarded the bus, where he allegedly assaulted her before fleeing the scene. Subsequently, the victim managed to board another bus to her hometown, where she contacted a friend and recounted the ordeal, prompting her to file a complaint.
Pune Deputy Commissioner of Police Smartana Patil confirmed that the accused has been identified as a history-sheeter previously arrested by the Pune Rural Police. The search for the perpetrator is ongoing.
