In a shocking incident, a 26-year-old woman was raped in a Shivshahi bus at Pune’s Swargate ST bus stand. The crime occurred around 5:45 am on Wednesday, February 26, when the accused lured the victim into the parked bus under the pretext of guiding her to her actual bus. Predictably, the rape has drawn sharp reactions from the opposition, which has blamed Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis - who also controls the Home Department - for failing to control rising crime in the Pune region.
The Pune police has intensified their search for the accused Dattatray Ramdas Gade a history-sheeter, who , has half a dozen cases of theft, robbery and chain-snatching registered against him in Pune and adjoining Ahilyanagar district. A 13 member team has been formed are on the ground to nab him, 8 teams of Crime Branch unit and 5 teams of Swargate Police station are looking for the accused. Teams have also been sent out of district. Smartana Patil, Pune DCP Zone II, said "A total of 13 teams are on the ground to nab the accused. Investigation is underway.
Teams have also been sent to the bus stand, railway stations and other nearby locations. We are interrogating his family and the people who was contacted by the accused. The accused's brother was questioned yesterday and today; we will question his family. A cash reward of Rs 1 lakh has been announced for the one who catches the accused...Since the accused had a mask on, it was not easy to recognise his face through CCTVs said Patil.