Pune police have announced a reward of ₹1 lakh for information leading to the arrest of Dattatray Gade, the prime accused in the rape case.&nbsp; 
The history-sheeter remains absconding for the past 48 hours, prompting an extensive police search to apprehend him.
The shocking incident occurred at around 5.30 am on Tuesday at the Swargate bus stand in Pune, where a 26-year-old woman was allegedly raped inside a Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus.
Officials reported that the victim had arrived at the bus stand to board a bus to her hometown in Satara district when the accused, who was roaming around the premises, approached her under false pretences.
According to the police, Gade misled the woman by directing her to another bus, falsely claiming it was headed for her destination. Trusting his words, she boarded the bus, only for the accused to follow her and commit the crime inside before fleeing the scene.
The traumatized woman later managed to take another bus to her hometown, where she informed her friend about the assault and subsequently lodged a police complaint.
Pune Deputy Commissioner of Police Smartana Patil confirmed that Gade has a history of criminal offences and was previously booked by Pune Rural Police. Authorities are actively tracking him down to bring him to justice.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has taken swift action by ordering a departmental inquiry against the station master and depot manager at Swargate bus stand.
Sarnaik has convened a high-level meeting at the Mantralaya on Thursday to discuss next steps. 
Officers from the department and state-run Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) to review the security at the bus depots and take measures to improve it.&nbsp; 
The minister is chairing the meeting after 23 security guards from Swargate depot were suspended and replaced by new guards following Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis&rsquo; directives.
The state transport authority has been directed to submit a detailed report within seven days.
According to a statement by the MSRTC, in light of rising female ridership under the &lsquo;Mahila Samman Yojana&rsquo;, Sarnaik has convened a meeting of senior transport officials to enhance safety measures for women passengers. He also warned that any negligence on the part of officials will result in immediate suspension.
The case has sparked outrage, raising serious concerns over security at public transport hubs, and authorities are under pressure to ensure swift justice for the victim while reinforcing safety protocols for women travellers.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken a serious note of the sexual assault and asked the state police chief to submit a detailed investigation report.&nbsp; 
The Commission&rsquo;s Chairperson, Vijaya Rahatkar, in a letter to the state Director General of Police, Rashmi Shukla, has asked to submit an investigation report and also a copy of the complaint by the victim.
Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister and Pune District Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar directed the Pune police Commissioner to personally oversee the case and arrest the accused, Dattatray Gade, immediately.&nbsp;
&ldquo;The incident or rape of our sister at Pune&rsquo;s Swargate bus stand is extremely shameful, painful and infuriating for every member of a civilised society. The crime committed by the accused is unforgivable, and there can be no punishment except the death penalty. CM Devendra Fadnavis has also taken a serious note of the incident and has given the necessary instructions to the police,&rdquo; said Pawar.
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut claimed that the incident in the Shivshahi bus in Swargate depot from Pune is similar to the Nirbhaya case in Delhi. &ldquo;Fortunately, the victim&rsquo;s life was saved. Our Shiv Sainiks staged a strong protest at Swargate. Vasant More, Sanjay More and women activists protested. Now cases will be registered against them. There is no longer any fear of law to the gangs operating in Pune. The home minister is using the Home Department for political work mainly to harass the opposition,&rdquo; he said.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray condemned the incident and asked where Maharashtra was heading. &ldquo;The same in Mumbai too. Attack on Marathi too. No one is afraid of the police,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;
&mdash;IANS
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February 27, 2025 | 12:47 IST