Pune Rape Shocker: Woman Assaulted in MSRTC Bus, Uddhav Sena Protests with Depot Vandalism
Pune, February 26, 2025 – A horrific crime has rocked Pune after a 26-year-old woman was allegedly raped inside a stationary Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus at the busy Swargate Bus Stand. The assault happened early Tuesday morning around 5:30 am, sparking outrage and a massive police manhunt for the suspect, identified as Dattatraya Gade—a known offender with a history of theft and chain-snatching.
The victim was waiting for a bus to Paithan when Gade approached, misleading her by saying her bus was at another platform. He lured her to an empty bus in a secluded spot, followed her inside, and raped her before fleeing. Police identified him via CCTV footage and have deployed multiple teams to nab him, with the search now citywide.
The incident exposed security gaps at Swargate, one of Maharashtra’s largest bus depots. In response, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik suspended 23 security guards and ordered new personnel to start Thursday. An inquiry targeting the depot manager and traffic controller is underway, with a report due within a week.
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Public fury boiled over as Shiv Sena (UBT) workers, led by Vasant More, stormed the depot and vandalized the security cabin, smashing windows and furniture. More defended the act, saying, “If a woman is raped in front of a security cabin, nobody has the right to sit there.” Women activists also joined, slamming the BJP-led state government for failing to ensure safety.
Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar called the crime “unforgivable,” demanding the death penalty for Gade. “It’s shameful and infuriating,” Pawar said, confirming that CM Devendra Fadnavis has instructed police to act swiftly. The Pune Police Commissioner is personally overseeing the case.
Opposition leaders, like NCP (SP)’s Supriya Sule, have criticized the state’s law-and-order situation, noting Swargate’s proximity to a police station—just 100 meters away. The incident has reignited debates over women’s safety in public spaces. Authorities promise stricter security measures, but for now, Pune reels from this brazen assault as the hunt for Gade intensifies.
