Pune Bus Rape : Who Is Dattatraya Ramdas Gade, the Accused Out on Bail?
A horrific crime has stunned Pune, Maharashtra, after a 26-year-old woman was allegedly raped inside a parked state transport bus at the busy Swargate bus station on Tuesday, February 25, 2025. The accused, identified as Dattatraya Ramdas Gade, a 36-year-old man with a criminal past, is currently on the run. The incident, happening just 100 meters from a police station, has sparked outrage, protests, and demands for justice across the state.
The victim, a private medical worker, was waiting for a bus to Phaltan in Satara district around 5:45 am when Gade approached her. Calling her “didi” (sister), he tricked her by saying her bus was at another platform. He led her to an empty “Shiv Shahi” AC bus, claiming to be its conductor. Despite her hesitation due to the dark interior, Gade convinced her to board, then followed her inside, raped her, and fled after threatening her to stay silent.
CCTV footage captured Gade walking with the woman toward the bus, confirming his identity. Deputy Commissioner of Police Smartana Patil noted that the busy station had many people and buses around at the time, yet the crime went unnoticed initially. After the assault, the woman took another bus, confided in a friend, and later reported the incident to the police on her friend’s advice. Eight police teams are now searching for Gade, who has a history of theft, robbery, and chain-snatching in Pune and Ahilyanagar districts. He has been out on bail since 2019 for a robbery case.
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The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) revealed the bus arrived from Solapur at 3:40 am and was parked near a sugarcane juice shop. Station authorities only learned of the rape at 10 am—four hours later. This delay, coupled with the crime’s boldness, has fueled public anger. Shiv Sena (UBT) protesters, led by Vasant More, vandalized the station’s security office, while NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule slammed the BJP-led Mahayuti government for failing to ensure safety.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar called the incident “painful, infuriating, and shameful,” demanding the death penalty for Gade. He has ordered Pune’s police commissioner to prioritize the case. AIMIM’s Waris Pathan criticized the state’s law and order, questioning women’s safety despite government schemes. The National Commission for Women (NCW) has also stepped in, demanding swift action and a report within three days.
In response, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik sacked all 23 private security guards at Swargate and ordered an MSRTC inquiry. As the manhunt intensifies, this case highlights serious concerns about public safety and justice in Maharashtra.
