February 27th 2025.
Police in Mumbai and Pune have announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh for any information on the whereabouts of the history-sheeter who allegedly raped a 26-year-old woman inside a bus at Pune's Swargate bus station. In addition to traditional methods, the police have also deployed drones as part of their manhunt.
The incident has caused widespread concern and efforts to apprehend the culprit have been intensified. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut has compared this crime to the infamous 2012 Delhi gang rape and has called out Pune's guardian minister Ajit Pawar for the state of law and order.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has also expressed his determination to ensure that the perpetrator receives the maximum punishment possible. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena MLA Nilesh Rane has suggested the revival of the "encounter squad" to deal with such criminals.
The accused, Dattatray Ramdas Gade, has a long history of criminal activities and is named in multiple cases of theft, robbery, and chain-snatching in Pune and Ahilyanagar district. He has been out on bail since 2019 for one of the offences.
As Gade remains at large, the police have formed 13 teams to track him down. Commissioner Amitesh Kumar has announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh for anyone who provides information about Gade's whereabouts. The public can share any relevant information through designated phone numbers, with the assurance of their identity being kept confidential.
The search operation for Gade has also extended to his home village, Gunat, with the help of drones and dog squads. Swargate bus station, where the incident took place, is one of the largest bus depots of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation.
According to the survivor, she was waiting for a bus at one of the platforms when Gade approached her and referred to her as 'didi' (sister). He then misled her to an empty 'Shiv Shahi' AC bus and proceeded to rape her. The victim, who works in the medical field, immediately reported the incident to the police.
In response to this horrific incident, Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has announced plans to dispose of all scrapped buses and vehicles parked in MSRTC depots before April 15, 2025. He has also proposed fitting all buses with GPS, panic buttons, and CCTV cameras. Sarnaik has also demanded that the vacant post of security and vigilance officer in MSRTC be filled with an IPS officer.
It has also come to light that the depot manager of Swargate bus station had raised concerns about anti-social elements on the premises just three days before the incident. In a letter to the Swargate police station, the depot manager had reported incidents of looting and harassment by private agents and transgender persons.
Minister of State for Home, Yogesh Kadam, has placed the blame on the private security guards at the bus station, stating that the depot manager should have been more vigilant. He also added that the police cannot shirk their responsibility in preventing such heinous crimes.
Kadam has assured that the police are doing everything in their power to arrest the culprit, who was identified through CCTV footage. He also urged everyone to refrain from playing the blame game and instead focus on bringing the perpetrator to justice.
Meanwhile, the opposition has criticized the Maharashtra government for its failure to ensure women's safety. Sanjay Raut has questioned the effectiveness of the government's 'Ladki Bahin' scheme, which provides a monthly allowance of Rs 1,500 to women.
Deputy CM Shinde has assured that the police are doing their best to arrest Gade and has emphasized that such monsters will not be spared. He also mentioned the 50% concession on MSRTC buses for women and urged for stricter punishment for criminals who target women.
Nilesh Rane has suggested the revival of the "encounter squad" as a solution to deal with such criminals. He has acknowledged that there may be criticisms, but believes that it is the best option to ensure the safety of women.
In Mumbai, former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud has highlighted the need for proper implementation of laws to prevent crimes against women. He stressed the importance of proper investigation, strong action, quick trial, and punishment. He also added that the legal system and the police have a significant responsibility in ensuring the safety of women.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
