Pune: In a shocking incident, a young woman was sexually assaulted inside a stationary Shivshahi bus at Swargate State Transport (ST) depot in the early hours of Monday at 5:30 AM. The police have launched a manhunt for the accused, identified as Dattatray Ramdas Gade, who lured the victim into the parked bus under false pretenses before locking the doors and committing the crime.
The incident has raised serious concerns about security measures at public transport hubs, especially at one of Pune’s busiest bus depots. State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has ordered an investigation into the security lapses and negligence of on-duty staff at Swargate depot.
According to police reports, the victim was waiting at Swargate depot to board a bus to Phaltan when she was approached by Gade, who misled her by saying her bus was parked elsewhere. Initially, she refused to believe him, stating that she knew her bus stop, but he persisted and manipulated her into following him.
Tricked into Boarding the Bus – Gade led her to a dark, empty Shivshahi bus, falsely claiming that it would depart for Phaltan soon.
Locked Inside – Once inside, he locked the doors and assaulted her before fleeing the scene.
Victim Reports the Crime – Shaken and distressed, the woman informed the police, who have launched an investigation and search operation to locate the suspect.
Preliminary police investigations revealed that Gade has a criminal history, with previous cases registered against him. Law enforcement is actively tracking him down.
"We are investigating the matter thoroughly and ensuring that the accused is brought to justice. Additionally, we are examining security lapses at the Swargate depot to prevent such incidents in the future."
– Senior Police Official
Following the incident, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has directed an inquiry into the negligence of Swargate ST depot staff. Authorities are reviewing surveillance footage, security arrangements, and overall passenger safety measures at the state-run transport hub.