Pune administration has provided ₹3 lakh as compensation to the 26-year-old woman who was assaulted at the Swargate bus station. This comes after the incident was widely condemned and infuriated, raising questions about public safety and security.
The incident occurred early morning on a Shivshahi bus parked at the Swargate ST bus stand. The victim, a 26-year-old woman, was allegedly assaulted by a man identified as Dattatraya Ramdas Gade, a 35-year-old resident of Shikrapur. Pune Police launched a massive manhunt with 13 teams deployed to apprehend the accused, who was on bail for previous offenses. A reward of ₹1 lakh was announced for information leading to his arrest
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik ordered a departmental inquiry against MSRTC officials for negligence in ensuring passenger safety. The station in-charge and depot manager were directed to face disciplinary action if found guilty. The National Commission for Women (NCW) took serious note of the incident, directing Pune Police to submit a detailed report within three days. Various political parties and social groups organized protests at Swargate, condemning the incident and demanding stricter action against perpetrators.
The Pune administration provided ₹3 lakh to the victim as part of its efforts to support her during this difficult time. Efforts are being made to ensure the victim receives necessary psychological counseling and support to cope with the trauma.
The Swargate abuse case has brought attention to the need for improved safety measures in public spaces, particularly for women.