Pune: The victim in the Swargate bus terminal sexual assault case has officially recorded her statement in court, which was submitted in a sealed envelope following an in-camera proceeding. The detailed testimony provides a comprehensive account of the crime and is expected to play a crucial role in the trial against the accused, Dattatray Gade.
The incident occurred on February 25, 2025, inside a MSRTC bus parked within the Swargate bus terminal premises. The accused, Dattatray Gade, allegedly impersonated a bus conductor to lure the 26-year-old victim into the bus, where he later sexually assaulted her.
After committing the crime, Gade fled the scene. However, police launched a manhunt and successfully apprehended him from Gunat village in Shirur taluka on Friday (February 28) at midnight.
He was subsequently remanded to police custody until March 12, with his official statement recorded on Saturday (March 1). Gade has also undergone a sexual potency test at Sassoon Hospital as part of the investigation.
Additionally, Advocate Asim Sarode has filed a request to represent the complainant in court to ensure that her rights and perspective are adequately defended. He has also filed a petition in court seeking preventive legal action against individuals spreading defamatory content.