In a shocking incident, a 26-year-old woman was allegedly raped inside a parked Shivshahi bus parked at the Swargate ST stand area at around 5:30 am on Wednesday, February 26, causing panic in the locality. The incident took place in the Swargate bus stand area in the heart of Pune, bringing the issue of women's safety back to the fore.
According to reports, the victim was travelling from Pune to Phaltan, when the bus stopped at the Swargate ST stand, an unidentified man approached her, claiming that her bus had stopped at another location. However, she ignored him. After minutes, taking advantage of her alone on the bus, the accused gained her trust and led her to a closed Shivshahi bus parked nearby. Despite realising that the bus was locked, he coerced her into entering. Once inside, he allegedly raped her before fleeing the scene.
Police Statment on Shivshahi Bus Rape
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Following the incident, the woman boarded another bus to Phaltan and called her friend, narrating the ordeal. Her friend advised her to approach the police. She then visited Swargate police station and lodged a complaint.
According to reports, the absconding suspect is Dattatray Ramdas Gade, who is a history sheeter. He has several serious criminal cases against him. Cases are already registered at Shikrapur and Shirur police stations. Police raided the accused's house to trace him, but he had already left. Police are looking for the accused on the basis of technical information and CCTV footage.