Pune: The Swargate depot sexual assault case has taken a new turn, as the 26-year-old victim has made serious allegations against the Pune police, accusing them of mishandling the investigation. She has also demanded the appointment of Asim Sarode as the Special Public Prosecutor in her case.
According to reports, the victim recently met Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister regarding her case. She also sent a formal letter to the Principal Secretary, requesting the appointment of senior lawyer Asim Sarode to represent her in court.
In the letter, she expressed displeasure over the conduct of Pune police during the investigation. She alleged that:
Male medical officers conducted her examination against her will, despite seeking consent.
Several male police officers pressured her to narrate details of the assault, causing her further distress.
She was given a list of three lawyers but was not actually consulted about her legal representation.
She claimed that when she met Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar to formally request Asim Sarode’s appointment, he suggested other lawyers instead of considering her preference. She questioned, "Is there a law that denies a victim the right to choose their own lawyer?"
In a significant development, the victim revealed in her letter that accused Datta Gade raped her twice. She further stated that he attempted unnatural sexual assault for a third time, but she fought back with all her strength, forcing him to flee the scene. Currently, Datta Gade remains in judicial custody, and the case proceedings are ongoing in court.