A man from Pune, accused of raping a young woman, is now on the run. The crime took place just 100 metres from a police station and near a bus at Swargate Bus Stand. Police believe he may be hiding in a field of tall sugarcane plants near his hometown.
Police are using sniffer dogs and drones to search the large field. They need drones because the sugarcane can grow as tall as 10 feet, making it hard to search on foot.The man, named Dattatraya Ramdas Gade, reportedly escaped by hiding in a truck carrying vegetables. He then went to his hometown and changed his clothes and shoes.
Thirteen special police teams, including eight from the Crime Branch, are working to find him. They have also talked to his family and friends. A reward of Rs 1 lakh has been offered for his capture. Earlier on Thursday, a junior Home Minister said that police have found the likely location of Dattatraya Ramdas Gade, the man accused of raping a young woman at Pune Bus Stand. The rape took place early Tuesday morning between 5:45 and 6:00 am.
The victim, a domestic worker, was waiting for a bus to her hometown in Satara. Gade approached her, calling her “didi” (sister), and asked where she was going. He convinced her to get on a bus parked in a corner of the busy depot. Even though the bus had no lights on, she was told this was because other passengers were asleep, so she eventually boarded.
Once she was on the bus, Gade jumped in after her, locked the door, and raped her. He then ran away quickly. The incident was caught on CCTV, which helped start the police investigation. The police are also looking into how the bus depot allowed this to happen.
The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) is under fire for poor security. They have replaced the guards at the depot and started their inquiry, with a report due soon.
Gade, 36, has a past criminal record that includes theft, robbery, and chain-snatching. He has been out on bail since 2019. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has demanded strict punishment for him, even calling for the death penalty.