Pune: Rs 1 Lakh Reward Announced for Information on Accused Who Raped Woman in Shivshahi Bus at Swargate

Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Swargate, 26th February 2025: A horrifying incident of sexual assault has come to light in Pune, where a young woman was raped by a criminal on police record inside a Shivshahi bus parked at the Swargate bus stand. The accused, identified as Dattatray Gade, is a serial offender with multiple cases registered against him. Despite an extensive search, he remains at large, prompting the police to announce a ₹1 lakh reward for information leading to his arrest.

The victim arrived at Swargate ST station around 5:30 AM on Tuesday, intending to travel to her village. While waiting for her bus, she encountered Gade, who gained her trust through deceptive talk. He misled her by claiming that her bus was parked elsewhere and escorted her to an empty Shivshahi bus. Once inside, Gade followed her and brutally assaulted her before fleeing the scene.

Shocked and traumatized, the victim left for her village, where she confided in a friend about the incident. On her friend’s advice, she approached the Swargate police station, leading to the registration of a case.

Following the survivor’s statement and CCTV footage analysis, police quickly identified Gade, who has a history of criminal offences. Given his past record and the heinous nature of the crime, authorities have launched an extensive search operation:
– 13 police teams have been deployed across multiple locations.
– A dog squad has been engaged to track him.
– His family members are under investigation, and his brother has been detained for questioning.
– A ₹1 lakh reward has been announced for anyone providing credible information about his whereabouts.

DCP (Zone 2) Smartana Patil stated, “The accused has evaded arrest for two days. A reward of ₹1 lakh has been declared for anyone who provides information on his location, especially if he is hiding in a rural area.”

Authorities have urged citizens to report any sightings of Gade immediately. The case has sparked widespread outrage, with demands for swift justice.

This shocking crime has raised serious concerns about passenger safety at Pune’s major transport hubs. Many have called for enhanced security, increased CCTV surveillance, and stricter monitoring of known criminals loitering in public areas.