Pune Rape Case Accused Also Harassed His Female Friend, Fresh Allegations Surface
The woman was waiting for a bus for Phaltan in the adjoining Satara district at one of the platforms at around 5.45 am, a man approached and engaged her in conversation.
Pune Bus Rape: The Pune Police have deployed 13 teams to search Dattatraya Ramdas Gade, the man who allegedly raped a 26-year-old woman at Swargate ST Depot in Pune, as he remains absconding. The Crime Branch has taken charge of the investigation and the teams have been dispatched in multiple directions, considering all possible locations where Gade might be hiding.
Swargate in Pune City is one of the largest bus depots of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC).
The woman was waiting for a bus for Phaltan in the adjoining Satara district at one of the platforms at around 5.45 am, a man approached and engaged her in conversation, calling her 'didi' (sister), and said the bus for Satara had arrived at another platform.
He took her to an empty 'Shiv Shahi' AC bus parked elsewhere on the sprawling station premises. As the lights inside the bus were not on, she hesitated to get in at first, but the man convinced her that it was the right vehicle. He then followed her inside and raped her.
The Accused Repeatedly Harassed A Female Friend Earlier
On Wednesday, the Crime Branch interrogated Gade's friends, including a female acquaintance brought in from Bhor for questioning.
She revealed shocking details, stating that Gade frequently called and messaged her, pestering her to help him reconnect with another female friend. She further claimed that he harassed her repeatedly over the phone.
Police suspect that this may not have been Gade’s first offence and he may have harassed other women in the past. Police have so far questioned 10 of Gade’s acquaintances and gathered detailed information about him. Originally from Shirur, Gade’s home is now under police surveillance.
His parents and brother have been summoned to Pune for questioning.
Details Of The Crime
The accused had threatened the victim and asked her not to reveal the crime to anyone, according to police. Medical reports from Sassoon Hospital confirmed that the victim was raped twice.
The case has triggered outrage across Pune and Maharashtra, with widespread demands for swift justice. Police continue their search, and all eyes are now on when Dattatray Gade will be brought to justice.
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