Pune: Bus Rape Accused Dattatraya Ramdas Gade Identified on CCTV, a Serial Offender; Police Announce 1 Lakh Reward for Information

Pune, February 27, 2025: In a shocking incident that has sparked widespread outrage, a 26-year-old woman was raped by a history-sheeter, Dattatraya Ramdas Gade, inside a stationary state transport bus at Pune’s Swargate bus station on Tuesday morning. The accused, who has multiple criminal cases registered against him, was out on bail since 2019.

The incident occurred around 5:45 am when the woman, employed in the private medical field, was waiting for a bus to Phaltan. Gade, posing as a bus conductor, lured her into an empty ‘Shiv Shahi’ AC bus parked at the station. Despite her initial hesitation due to the lack of lighting inside the bus, Gade convinced her to enter and subsequently raped her. He then threatened her and fled the scene.

The victim did not report the incident immediately but confided in a friend while traveling to her hometown. On her friend’s advice, she approached the police, leading to the filing of an FIR. CCTV footage confirmed the woman entering the bus with the accused.

Dattatraya Ramdas Gade, 36, has a criminal record involving theft, robbery, and chain-snatching in Pune and Ahilyanagar districts. He was summoned by the police in 2024 for a theft case but remained at large. Pune police have formed eight teams and deployed a dog squad to track him down. A bounty of Rs 1 lakh has been announced for information leading to his arrest.

The incident triggered strong political reactions, with opposition leaders condemning the state government’s failure to ensure women’s safety. Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders vandalized the bus station’s security office during a protest, while NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule criticized the BJP-led Mahayuti government. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar termed the incident “painful, infuriating, and shameful” and demanded the death penalty for the accused.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognizance of the case, seeking an action-taken report within three days. State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik ordered the replacement of all 23 private security guards at the bus station and initiated a departmental inquiry.