Pune Bus Rape Accused Hiding in Sugarcane Field? Police Deploy Drones

The shocking case of a young woman’s rape inside Pune’s Swargate Bus Stand has left people outraged. Police are on the lookout for the accused, Dattatraya Ramdas Gade, who is suspected to be hiding in a sugarcane field near his hometown.

According to police sources, 13 special teams, including eight from the Crime Branch, have been assigned to the case. To track him down, the police have deployed sniffer dogs and drones, as the sugarcane crop can grow up to 10 feet tall, making it nearly impossible to search the area on foot.

Reports suggest that Gade escaped the police dragnet by hiding in a vegetable truck and later changed his clothes and shoes after reaching his hometown.

Incident Details

The crime took place between 5:45 AM and 6:00 AM on Tuesday. The victim, a domestic worker, was waiting for a bus to Satara district when she was approached by Gade.

As per her statement, Gade addressed her as ‘Didi’ (sister) and gained her trust, convincing her that a bus parked at the corner of the station would take her to her destination. CCTV footage shows both of them walking toward the bus.

Outside the bus—where the lights were off—the woman hesitated, but Gade reassured her that passengers were sleeping inside. Once she entered, he locked the door and raped her.

After the assault, Gade fled the scene. The victim informed a friend, who persuaded her to file a police complaint immediately.

Police Investigation and Actions

• An FIR was filed immediately, and CCTV footage was retrieved to accelerate the investigation.
• The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), under pressure for inadequate security, has replaced security personnel at the bus depot.
• Authorities have announced a ₹1 lakh reward for information leading to Gade’s arrest.
• Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar have demanded capital punishment for the accused.

Accused’s Criminal Background

36-year-old Dattatraya Gade has a history of criminal activities, with six prior cases of theft, robbery, and chain-snatching in Pune and Ahilyanagar district. He has been out on bail since 2019.

Police claim they have identified his probable location and are confident about his arrest soon.