Pune Shocker: 26-Year-Old Woman Raped Inside MSRTC Bus at Busy Depot; Are Women Safe?

Pune: In yet another shocking incident, a 26-year-old woman was raped inside a stationary Shivshahi bus at the busy Swargate ST stand, just a stone’s throw from the Swargate police station. The crime occurred early Tuesday morning, raising serious concerns over women’s safety in Pune.

The accused, identified as Dattatray Ramdas Gade, has a criminal history with theft cases registered at Shikrapur and Shirur police stations. According to police, the victim, a hospital counsellor residing in the Aundh-Baner area, was waiting for a bus to Phaltan when the accused misled her, claiming that the bus had arrived at another platform.

Accused Lured Victim, Locked Bus, and Fled After Crime

"Trusting him, the victim followed him to a deserted bus parked in a dark corner. When she questioned the absence of passengers, the accused insisted that they were inside. As soon as she entered, he locked the doors, raped her, and fled the scene," police officials said.

CCTV footage helped police identify the accused, and multiple teams have been deployed to track him down. Initially hesitant to file a complaint, the victim later approached the Swargate police station after confiding in a friend. She has been sent for a medical examination at Sassoon General Hospital, where her condition is stable.

‘If a Woman is Raped in Front of Security Cabin’: Shiv Sena (UBT) Demands Action

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Vasant More, along with other party members, staged a protest at the Swargate bus stand following the alleged rape. Expressing outrage over the incident, More slammed the security lapses, stating that the crime occurred right in front of a security cabin.

"If a woman is raped in front of a security cabin, nobody has the right to sit there," he stated, questioning the authorities' failure to ensure safety in such a high-footfall area.

The protestors demanded action against the accused and stronger measures to improve women's security in Pune, a city increasingly witnessing a rise in crimes against women.  

Pune’s Rising Crime Rate: A City No Longer Safe for Women?

This brutal assault comes just months after a gang rape at Bopdev Ghat and days after Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar claimed success in tackling crime. The incident has sparked outrage, with political leaders, including NCP MP Supriya Sule, MLA Rohit Pawar, Former Kasba MLA Ravindra Dhangekar, and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare, criticizing the police.

Dhangekar highlighted the lack of infrastructure and lighting at Swargate Station, while Sule questioned how such a crime could occur so close to the police station.

Spike in Crimes Against Women

Recent incidents have raised concerns about the increasing crime rate in Pune:

• A woman was punched in the face while commuting in Aundh.
• Two women were chased by a man masturbating in broad daylight.
• A woman feeding strays was slapped and discouraged from reporting it to police.
• A female software engineer faced harassment when a cab driver began masturbating while staring at her through the rearview mirror.   
• In the latest case, which occurred on February 21 at 7:30 pm, a techie from Kalyani Nagar booked a cab from Sangamwadi Road. During the ride, the driver engaged in obscene behaviour, forcing the terrified woman to halt the cab on the highway and rush to the police station.

Crime Stats and Official Response

Pune Police’s latest crime statistics indicate a sharp rise in sexual offences. In 2024 alone, 505 rape cases and 864 molestation cases were reported, compared to 410 rapes and 775 molestations in 2023. Despite claims of proactive policing, the increasing crime rate has cast doubt over Pune’s reputation as a safe city for women.