Pune Bus Station Assault: Suspect Apprehended After 75-Hour Search
In a significant development, authorities have arrested Dattatraya Ramdas Gade, the primary suspect in the alleged sexual assault of a 26-year-old woman inside a bus at Pune’s Swargate bus station. The arrest occurred on Friday in Shirur Tehsil, concluding an intensive 75-hour manhunt.
Pune, Maharashtra: The accused, Dattatray Gade, involved in the Swargate bus rape case, has been arrested by the Crime Branch of the Pune Police around midnight from Shirur Taluka in Pune District. He was brought to the Lashkar Police station in Pune pic.twitter.com/I8GdPbjGjp
— IANS (@ians_india) February 28, 2025
Incident
The distressing event took place on Tuesday morning between 5:45 am and 6:00 am. The victim, awaiting transportation to her hometown in Satara district, was approached by the suspect at the Swargate Bus Stand, one of the largest depots of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC). Gade allegedly engaged her in conversation, addressing her as ‘didi’ (sister), and misled her into boarding an unlit, empty Shiv Shahi AC bus under the pretense that it was bound for Satara. Once inside, he reportedly assaulted her.
Pune bus rape case accused arrested, brought to police station
Read @ANI Story |https://t.co/LbzI4f1nmL#Pune #rapecase #accused #arrest #PuneRapecase pic.twitter.com/F9psxfDzlK
— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) February 28, 2025
Gade, 37, a resident of Gunat village in Pune, has a history of criminal activities, including theft, robbery, and chain snatching in the Pune and Ahilyanagar districts. He had been out on bail since 2019 for one of these offenses. Sources indicate that he had been impersonating a police officer for several months prior to the incident.
Manhunt and Arrest
Following the assault, Gade evaded capture, prompting law enforcement to deploy 13 specialized teams across Maharashtra. The search operation incorporated advanced methods, including the use of drones and sniffer dogs, with efforts concentrated in and around Gunat village, particularly in dense sugarcane fields. Authorities had also announced a monetary reward of ₹1 lakh for information leading to Gade’s arrest, assuring informants of confidentiality.
The incident, occurring merely 100 meters from a police station, has raised significant concerns about public safety in transit areas. In response, officials have emphasized the need for enhanced security measures at bus depots and other public transportation hubs to prevent such incidents in the future.
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