In a disturbing incident, a 26-year-old woman was raped by a notorious history-sheeter inside an empty bus parked at the State Transport (ST) depot at Swargate in Pune in the small hours of hours of Wednesday.

The accused - who had led the victim woman inside an empty bus on the false pretext that the bus she wanted to take had on another platform of the sprawling bus depot –fled the scene, after perpetrating sexual assault on her.

After registering a complaint lodged by the victim woman, the police identified the accused history sheeter as one Datta Gade, a known criminal with cases of theft and chain snatching registered against him. “We have launched a manhunt for the accused,” a senior police officer said.

The incident took place at around 5.30 am at the Swargate complex – which houses two bus depots run by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) and Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML).

The victim woman was waiting for a Paithan-bound bus at one of the platforms when the accused approached her and told her the bus had arrived at another platform. The woman trusted him and accompanied him to an empty bus parked at a deserted spot on the Swargate bus depot premises.

According to the complaint lodged by the victim woman with the police, it was still dark when she boarded the bus. The accused quietly followed her inside the bus, forced himself on her and raped her.  He fled the scene immediately afterwards.

Confirming the development, Deputy Commissioner of Police Smartana Patil said: “We have formed teams to track down the absconding accused”. 

Coming down heavily on the police and the BJP-led MahaYuti government for the brazen incident of rape that took place at the bustling Swargate bus depot, Baramati MP and NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule said: “There is a police post near the Swargate bus stand. The police personnel maintain regular patrol at this bus depot…  Still, the accused dared to commit such a heinous crime shows that criminals have no fear of the law”.

“After this incident, we have been forced to raise a question whether there is any safe place for women in the state. Serious crimes are happening here and there every day in Pune,” Supriya said

Flagging the issue of women’s safety in the state, Maharashtra Congress chief Harshavardhan Sapkal charged that the Swargate rape incident had established that there was breakdown in law and order in the state. “The incident has once again raised serious concerns about women's safety in the state. The Home Minister is preoccupied with shielding corrupt officers while the security of women in the state remains compromised,” Sapkal said.

“Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who speaks on all matters, has chosen to remain silent.  Thirteen years ago, a rape on board a private bus in Delhi had sparked massive public outrage and wide-spread protests.  The Pune incident is equally serious. But, the state government’s apathy is making women feel unsafe in the state4,” Sapkal said,