Pune, 4th July 2025: The alleged rape of a young woman in a high-end housing society in Kondhwa has sparked widespread outrage in Pune. Maharashtra Legislative Council Deputy Chairperson Dr. Neelam Gorhe has demanded the immediate formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to ensure a swift and impartial probe into the matter. She has written to the Pune Police Commissioner urging fast-track action, including arrest of the accused and submission of a chargesheet without delay.
In her letter, Dr. Gorhe highlighted serious lapses in society-level security, such as unverified visitor entries, negligent security staff, and faulty access control systems. She demanded a thorough investigation into these failures and legal action against those responsible. She also proposed the introduction of "Society Security Guidelines" by the police, to be implemented across all residential complexes in the city.
Meanwhile, the Hadapsar unit of the Shiv Sena Women’s Wing has staged a protest, demanding the harshest punishment for the accused, including the death penalty or life imprisonment. The group called the incident shameful for a culturally progressive city like Pune and warned of intensified protests if justice is delayed or diluted. They also urged the court to conduct the trial in fast-track mode.
Adding to the political pressure, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) city president Prashant Jagtap blamed the state and central governments for the “deteriorating law and order” situation in Pune.
He claimed that women are no longer safe in their own homes and questioned the government's ability to protect its citizens. “If the authorities can’t guarantee safety, they should admit it openly, and people will take charge of their own protection,” he said.
In response, Pune Police assured the public that they are actively pursuing the case and committed to delivering justice. “We understand the public's anger and pain. Our investigation teams are working round the clock to find the accused. We appeal to citizens to remain calm and trust the police force, we will not let this case go unresolved,” an official statement said.
