The Pune rape case triggered a massive outrage in Maharashtra and NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule, visited the Swargate bus stand to assess its condition and discuss ongoing issues with the depot manager. During her inspection, she took a close look at the infrastructure, passenger facilities, and overall functioning of the bus stand, which has been under scrutiny after a man allegedly raped a 26-year-old woman inside a bus at Pune’s Swargate bus station.
Sule, who represents the Baramati constituency, engaged in discussions about the challenges faced by commuters and the staff at the bus stand. She emphasized the need for improved amenities, better management, and facilities for passengers to ensure a smoother travel experience. The depot manager briefed Sule on the current issues affecting the smooth operation of the stand, and together, they explored potential solutions, including upgrading facilities and streamlining services. Sule assured her support for addressing the concerns and improving the conditions at the Swargate bus stand, which serves as a key node for travelers in and around Pune.
Earlier, Sule pointed out that the depot chief had previously alerted the police about security concerns at the site.She urged Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the home ministry portfolio, to immediately review the law and order situation in Pune. She asked him to “take strict measures regarding women's safety as well as safety of the bus station”. The accused in the alleged rape case at the Swargate bus depot has been identified as one Dattatraya Ramdas Gade, a history-sheeter, who has several cases of theft, robbery and chain snatching registered against him. Gade has been out on bail in one of these cases since 2019.
He had allegedly approached the survivor when she was waiting at one of the stations for a bus to Satara district's Phaltan in the early hours of Tuesday. Gade engaged her in a conversation by calling her 'didi' (sister) and told her that the Satara bus had arrived at another platform. He then took her to an empty 'Shiv Shahi' AC bus parked elsewhere on the busy depot premises. She hesitated to board the bus due to the lack of lights, but Gade had convinced her otherwise, coercing her to get in and check the bus for herself. And once she got in, he followed her in, raped her and then fled the scene. Police identified Gade with the help of CCTV footage. The accused was arrested in Shirur Tehsil on Friday morning, and was produced before the Judicial Magistrate First Class Court on Friday, who was then sent to 12-day police custody