Pune: In a significant development in the Swargate ST stand sexual assault case, defense lawyer Wajid Khan has refuted allegations that the accused, Dattatray Gade, and the victim were previously acquainted. This comes after reports that false narratives were circulating on social media, with claims suggesting the incident was consensual.
Earlier, allegations surfaced stating that the victim had accepted money from Gade and that the two knew each other before the incident. However, at a press conference held today, defense lawyer Wajid Khan clarified that no such claims had been made by the defense team. "We never stated that there was any financial transaction between them," he told the media.
Request for Police Protection
Amid increasing social media scrutiny, Khan has requested police protection, citing concerns over negative comments directed at him and his legal team. He submitted a formal request to Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, asking for security during the trial proceedings.
Accused’s Brother Demands Fair Investigation
Dattatray Gade’s brother, who was also present at the press conference, stated that the case should undergo a thorough investigation to ensure that justice is served. "Even if my brother is sentenced to death, the truth of the incident must be established," he said.
He further urged the media to present an unbiased view of the case and highlighted that their family was facing social ostracization in their village due to the allegations. He also mentioned that Gade had returned home after the incident but did not discuss it. Before the incident, Gade was working as a vegetable vendor in Gultekdi, he added.