The rape of a 26-year-old woman inside a stationary state transport bus at Pune's Swargate bus station on February 25, 2025, has sent shockwaves through the city and beyond. The accused, Dattatraya Ramdas Gade, a history-sheeter with a long list of criminal charges, was out on bail for another offense at the time of the crime. This horrifying incident has raised serious concerns about public safety, criminal justice, and the security infrastructure in one of Pune's busiest transportation hubs.
The Incident at Swargate Bus Station
The victim, a 26-year-old woman, was waiting at Pune's Swargate bus station to board a bus to her hometown in Phaltan, located in the Satara district. Around 5:45 AM, as she stood at one of the platforms, a man approached her and began a conversation, calling her "didi" (sister). The man, later identified as Dattatraya Gade, falsely told her that the bus to Phaltan had already arrived at another platform. He convinced her to follow him, promising that the bus was waiting nearby.
Gade led the woman to an empty "Shiv Shahi" AC bus parked away from the main area of the station. Despite her initial hesitation due to the dim lighting inside the bus, the accused assured her that it was indeed the right vehicle. Once inside, Gade followed her, locked the doors, and sexually assaulted her. After the attack, he fled the scene, threatening the victim not to report the incident.
The victim, still in shock, did not immediately approach the authorities. Instead, she boarded another bus and called a friend while on her way to her hometown. She eventually got off within Pune city limits and approached the police to file a formal complaint.
Who is Dattatraya Ramdas Gade?
Dattatraya Ramdas Gade, aged 36, is a well-known criminal with multiple charges against him. He has a long criminal history, including theft, robbery, and chain-snatching, with several cases registered against him in Pune and the adjoining Ahilyanagar district. Gade has been out on bail since 2019 for one of these offenses, and his criminal activities have continued despite his release.
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Criminal Background: Gade's criminal record includes:
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Theft
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Robbery
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Chain-snatching
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He was also involved in a theft case in 2024 and was summoned by the police for questioning.
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The fact that Gade was out on bail while committing such a heinous act raises serious questions about the criminal justice system and the rehabilitation of repeat offenders. He posed as the conductor of the "Shiv Shahi" bus and used this fake identity to deceive the woman into boarding the bus where the assault took place.
The Police Investigation and Efforts to Track the Accused
The Pune police wasted no time in launching a full-scale investigation into the crime. CCTV footage from the Swargate bus station showed the woman walking toward the bus with the accused, and the police are closely examining these recordings to gather more evidence. The authorities have formed eight special teams, with assistance from technical experts, to track down Gade and arrest him as quickly as possible.
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Investigation Details:
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CCTV footage has been analyzed to confirm the woman's interaction with the accused.
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Eight police teams have been formed to search for the perpetrator.
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The police are using technical resources to track the accused's movements.
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Despite the presence of many people and several buses at the station during the time of the incident, it took authorities around four hours to learn about the crime. The security office at the station failed to act quickly, further highlighting the vulnerabilities in the station's security infrastructure.
Political and Public Reactions
The rape case has sparked strong reactions from various political leaders and activists, who have expressed their outrage over the crime and the lack of safety measures at public transport facilities.
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Ajit Pawar's Statement: Ajit Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, called the incident “extremely unfortunate, painful, infuriating, and shameful” and demanded the harshest punishment for the accused, including the death penalty. He assured the public that the Pune police would investigate the matter swiftly and bring the perpetrator to justice.
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Opposition Criticism: Opposition leaders, including Supriya Sule from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and AIMIM's Waris Pathan, have condemned the incident, questioning the effectiveness of the state government's efforts to ensure women's safety. Pathan particularly criticized the state’s handling of law and order and questioned the government's commitment to its "Beti Bachao Beti Padhao" campaign, highlighting the continued insecurity women face despite such initiatives.
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Shiv Sena (UBT) Protest: Leaders from Shiv Sena (UBT), including Vasant More, organized a protest at the Swargate bus station, demanding justice for the victim and stronger measures to prevent such crimes in the future.
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National Commission for Women (NCW): The NCW has taken suo motu cognizance of the case and demanded that the Maharashtra police submit a detailed action taken report within three days. NCW chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar also asked the police to provide an FIR copy to ensure that the investigation progresses transparently.
#WATCH | Pune, Maharashtra: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Vasant More along with other party leaders, holds a protest at the Swargate bus stand over the alleged rape of a 26-year-old woman. pic.twitter.com/du9aQCMJyL— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2025
Security Failures and Calls for Change
This incident has raised serious concerns about the security infrastructure at Pune’s Swargate bus station. Despite being located in a busy area, the bus station’s security failed to detect the crime in real-time. By the time the authorities were alerted, hours had passed, allowing the accused to flee the scene.
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Security Lapses:
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The station's security office failed to detect the crime immediately.
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The lack of monitoring systems, such as functional cameras and security personnel, contributed to the delayed response.
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Reactions from State Transport Minister: State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has ordered the replacement of all 23 private security guards at the bus station. He has also instructed the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) to conduct a departmental inquiry into the incident and submit a report within a week.
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Public Demand for Accountability: The public has expressed outrage over the failure of both the police and the transport authorities to prevent the attack. Women’s rights organizations are calling for stricter safety protocols in public spaces, including improved surveillance, faster police response times, and better protection for women in transit.
A Wake-Up Call for Women’s Safety and Criminal Justice Reform
The rape of the 26-year-old woman in Pune is a stark reminder of the need for urgent reforms in both the criminal justice system and public safety infrastructure. The accused, Dattatraya Ramdas Gade, a repeat offender, was allowed to roam freely despite his criminal history. His release on bail and subsequent attack on the woman has raised questions about the rehabilitation of criminals and the oversight of repeat offenders.
The security failures at the Swargate bus station also highlight the need for better surveillance and emergency response systems in public transportation hubs. As the investigation continues, the victim’s demand for justice remains a rallying cry for improved safety measures in public spaces, especially for women.
The public and political backlash against this crime is clear: authorities must act swiftly, not just to bring the perpetrator to justice, but also to reform systems that fail to protect the most vulnerable members of society. This case must serve as a turning point for Maharashtra and the rest of India, where women's safety in public spaces must become a top priority.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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