Woman Raped Inside MSRTC Bus at Pune’s Swargate Bus Stand; Accused on the Run

A man with a criminal record allegedly raped a woman inside a MSRTC Shivshahi bus at the busy Swargate bus stand in Pune on Tuesday morning, when she was waiting for the bus, police said.

The accused, identified as Dattatraya Ramdas Gade (36), is currently absconding, and multiple police teams have been deployed to track him down.

According to the police, Gade has several past cases of theft and chain-snatching registered against him. The crime took place around 5:45 a.m. when the victim, who was waiting for a bus to Phaltan in Satara district, was approached by the accused.
As per the woman’s statement, Gade engaged her in conversation, addressed her as ‘didi’ (sister), and told her the Satara-bound bus was at another platform. He then led her to an empty bus parked elsewhere within the Swargate bus stand premises and allegedly assaulted her.

Despite the presence of several people and buses in the area, the crime went unnoticed. The woman did not immediately report the incident. Instead, she boarded a bus for Phaltan and later informed a friend over the phone. Following her friend’s advice, she got off within city limits and approached the police.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Smartana Patil confirmed that CCTV footage from the bus stand helped identify the accused. The video shows the woman walking with Gade toward the empty bus. Police have formed eight teams, including a sniffer dog squad, to trace him.

The victim’s condition is stable, and she has provided a clear statement to the police. A case of rape has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The incident has sparked a political outcry, with Opposition leaders blaming the BJP-led Maharashtra government for the deteriorating law and order situation in Pune.

NCP (SP) leader and Baramati MP Supriya Sule criticized the Home Department, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, stating, “There is a police post nearby, and the area is routinely patrolled. Yet, such a horrific crime occurs at Swargate. This shows that criminals have no fear of the law. The case should be fast-tracked, and the accused must receive strict punishment.”

Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal also condemned the incident, stating, “MSRTC buses are Maharashtra’s lifeline, and now a rape has occurred inside one. The government promotes schemes like Laadki Bahin for women, but ignores their basic safety.
Police have urged citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity at public transport hubs. The search for the accused is ongoing.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has strongly condemned the recent tragic incident at the Swargate ST stand in Pune, calling for the accused to be caught at the earliest and sentenced to death.

Speaking to the media, Pawar revealed that the Pune police received a complaint about the incident at 9:30 AM. “The police investigation is underway. I have spoken with the Commissioner of Police, and it has been found that the suspect, who was seen moving suspiciously, hails from Shirur taluka. One person has been taken into custody, but the main accused is still absconding. The police are conducting searches in Shirur and his native village,” he said.
Expressing his distress over the incident, Pawar stated, “It is extremely painful that such unfortunate incidents are happening in Maharashtra. Despite all precautions, such crimes continue to occur. I have instructed a thorough review of all CCTV footage.

The Swargate and Shivajinagar bus depots are busy locations, and CCTV recordings show passengers present at the time.”
Reiterating his demand for strict action, Pawar emphasized, “The accused must be caught at any cost and given the death penalty. Instructions have also been given to provide all necessary support to the affected girl. As the guardian minister of the district, this incident has deeply disturbed me.”