Pune city police have announced a ₹1 lakh reward for information leading to the arrest of 37-year-old history-sheeter Dattatraya Ramdas Gade, accused of raping a woman inside a Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus at Swargate depot on February 25.
Authorities have also released Gade’s photograph, urging the public to contact senior police inspector Yuvraj Nandre (9881670659) or police sub-inspector Punam Patil (8600444569), assuring that informants’ identities will be kept confidential.
The victim, a 26-year-old woman, was waiting at Swargate bus depot for a bus to Satara when Gade allegedly misled her into an empty Shivshahi bus around 5:30 am and sexually assaulted her. The air-conditioned bus had permanently closed windows, making it difficult for her to seek help.
The incident occurred just over 100 meters from Swargate police station, sparking protests from political and social organizations. Authorities have registered a case under sections 64 (rape) and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Police have intensified their search for Gade, who has been absconding for over 48 hours. A resident of Gunat village in Shirur taluka, he has prior robbery and theft cases registered by Pune Rural police. Investigators are also probing whether he was involved in other sexual offenses.
Officials are scanning CCTV footage from the bus depot and other locations while forensic teams examine the crime scene. Police have recorded statements from the bus driver and questioned Gade’s associates to track him down.