Pune: The lawyer representing Dattatray Ramdas Gade, the accused in the Swargate rape case, has filed a petition before the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) seeking permission for a direct, in-person meeting with his client. The court is set to hear the plea on Monday (March 24).
The case involves a serious incident at the Swargate ST Bus Stand, where a young woman was allegedly raped inside a MSRTC bus after being threatened. The crime triggered statewide outrage, following which Pune Police arrested the accused, Dattatray Gade. He is currently held in Yerawada Central Jail under judicial custody.
Advocate's Argument for an In-Person Meeting
The petition was submitted by Advocate Wajed Khan (Bidkar), who cited the following reasons for requesting direct access to his client:
The case has received significant media attention, which has added pressure on the accused.
The nature of the crime is severe, requiring detailed legal discussions.
Current phone conversations with the accused take place in the presence of police officials and other inmates, making it difficult to communicate freely. The accused is allegedly experiencing mental distress, further necessitating an in-person meeting.
Advocate Khan argued that a face-to-face meeting is essential to ensure proper legal representation and has urged the court to grant permission for a direct consultation.
Next Steps
The JMFC court will hear the plea and decide on the matter during the upcoming hearing.