Dressed neatly, Pune bus rape suspect visited multiple stands prior
What's the story
The suspect in the Pune bus rape had visited several bus terminals in the days prior to the incident, presumably as part of his modus operandi, Maharashtra Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam said.
The 26-year-old woman was allegedly raped by 36-year-old history-sheeter Dattatraya Ramdas Gade inside a stationary state transport bus at Pune's Swargate bus station on Tuesday morning.
Gade has multiple cases of theft, robbery, and chain-snatching against him but has been out on bail since 2019.
What happened
Accused addressed her as didi
"He was moving in a well-dressed attire with a neatly tucked-in shirt, etc. Possibly, this was a part of his modus operandi," Kadam added.
According to the 26-year-old woman, she "was waiting for a bus to go back to her home" when the accused approached her, addressing her as didi (sister).
Appearing to engage in a conversation, the accused, posing as conductor, inquired about her destination and informed her that the bus to Satara had already arrived at another platform.
Event
She hesitated at first
He then led her to an empty "Shiv Shahi" AC bus parked elsewhere.
She hesitated at first because the lights inside were not on, but the accused explained that the lights were off because passengers were asleep.
He then followed her, shut the door, and raped her before leaving.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Smartana Patil said the survivor initially did not report the crime but rode another bus home.
She reported the incident only after her friend advised her.
Police action
Investigation underway in Pune bus assault case
CCTV footage confirmed the victim walked toward the bus with Gade in a crowded bus station.
Once the crime was reported, eight police teams were formed to nab Gade.
The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation said the bus arrived from Solapur early on February 25 and was parked near a sugarcane juice shop at Swargate when the crime took place.
Public outrage
Protests and political reactions follow Pune bus assault
The shocking incident sparked widespread protests, including the vandalism of the security office at the Swargate bus station by opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) members.
Nationalist Congress Party leader Supriya Sule slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government over the incident.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar ordered Pune police commissioner to investigate and arrest Gade quickly.
Pawar called the incident "painful, infuriating, and shameful," adding that "the crime committed by the accused is unforgivable and there can be no other punishment for him than death."
Reform demand
Calls for action and reforms in wake of Pune assault
Criticizing the state administration for prioritizing "freebies" for women at the expense of their safety, state Congress Chief Harshwardhan Sapkal recalled the horrible 2012 Nirbhaya tragedy in Delhi.
"When the Nirbhaya gangrape took place...the people changed the regime. You (the BJP) promote schemes for women that provide financial aid... but then ignore the basic issues of the people," he said.
The National Commission for Women has also demanded immediate action and requested an action-taken report from police within three days.