Pune Rape Accused Arrested After 75 Hours of Search Operation
Pune police arrested a 37-year-old man for raping a woman inside a bus near Swargate bus stand, sparking protests and raising concerns about public safety.
A 37-year-old man, Dattatraya Ramdas Gade, was arrested for allegedly raping a 26-year-old woman inside a bus at Pune’s Swargate bus stand. This bus stand is one of the biggest depots of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC). The shocking incident happened on 25th February 2025 between 5:45 am and 6 am, just 100 meters away from a police station.
The survivor, who works in the medical field, was waiting to catch a bus to her hometown in Satara district. Dattatraya approached her, called her "didi" (sister), and told her that the bus to Satara was at a different platform. He then took her to an empty Shiv Shahi AC bus parked nearby. The woman was hesitant to enter as the bus lights were off, but Dattatraya convinced her it was the right bus. Once inside, he followed her and raped her.
The bus was abandoned, and since it was an AC bus, the windows were shut, making it impossible for her cries to be heard. After the crime, Dattatraya fled the scene and was on the run for three days.
Accused’s Criminal Background
Dattatraya, a resident of Gunat village in Pune, has a history of crimes. He has been involved in theft, robbery, and chain-snatching cases in Pune and Ahilyanagar districts. He has been out on bail since 2019. Reports also suggest that he had been pretending to be a policeman for several months.
Protests and Political Pressure
On 26th February, Shiv Sena (UBT) workers protested and vandalised a bus at the Swargate bus stand. They damaged the security office, broke windows, and destroyed furniture. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Vasant More, who led the protest, justified the vandalism, saying, "The incident happened right in front of the security cabin. If a woman can be raped there, then no one has the right to sit in that cabin."
Women activists also protested against the BJP-led Maharashtra government, demanding justice for the survivor. On 27th February, members of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) demanded strict action against the accused. Political parties compared this case to the 2012 Delhi Nirbhaya gang rape incident and pressured the police to arrest the accused quickly.
How the Accused Was Caught
The Pune police acted swiftly after the woman filed her complaint. They identified Dattatraya from CCTV footage at the bus stand and announced a ?1 lakh reward for information about him. They also shared phone numbers for tips and promised to keep the informer’s identity secret.
The police formed 13 teams and searched various locations across Maharashtra, including sugarcane fields near Dattatraya’s home in Gunat village. They used sniffer dogs and drones during the search. Finally, after 75 hours, the police found him hiding in the fields and arrested him.
Questions Raised
This incident has raised serious questions about safety at busy public places like bus stands. How did the accused dare to commit such a crime in a bus depot under 24-hour CCTV surveillance? Should the police station, located just 100 meters away, provide better security?
Safety Advisory
This case is a reminder to be careful while traveling and not to trust strangers, no matter how friendly they seem.
The police have assured that strict action will be taken against the accused, and efforts are being made to improve security at public transport hubs.
