Swargate Rape Accused Dressed as Policeman, Cops Seek More Victims to Come Forward
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 6th March 2025: The investigation into the Swargate rape case has uncovered shocking details about the accused, Dattatray Gade, who was seen moving around ST stands in a police uniform. Police have obtained a photograph of Gade dressed as a police constable, raising concerns about possible additional crimes committed under this disguise.
Police analysis of Gade’s mobile number has tracked his movements across multiple locations, including Shivajinagar, Swargate, Ahilyanagar, Solapur, and Shirur ST bus stand. Officials suspect that Gade may have been involved in other offences and have urged anyone with a complaint against him to come forward. The case has now been transferred to the Crime Branch for further investigation.
During the probe, authorities discovered that a person known to Gade is a member of the Pimpri-Chinchwad police force. It is suspected that Gade obtained the uniform through this connection and used it to mislead and target victims. Crime Branch officials are now investigating whether Gade committed additional crimes while impersonating a policeman.
Gade has a prior criminal record, having been booked earlier for robbing elderly women in Pune Rural and Ahilyanagar. Last year, he also stole a mobile phone from a commuter at Swargate ST stand. A closer review of the cases against him has revealed a pattern of targeting women.
The most serious offence took place on February 25, when, at around 6 a.m., Gade allegedly threatened a young woman with death and raped her inside a Shivshahi bus at the Swargate ST stand premises. Posing as a bus conductor, he lured the victim into a parked bus and committed the crime.
Authorities are working to gather maximum evidence against Gade. His blood samples have been collected for DNA testing, and the clothes he wore during the crime have been seized and sent for forensic examination.
