Fri Feb 28 06:45:25 UTC 2025: ## Pune Bus Rape Accused Apprehended After 75-Hour Manhunt
**Pune, Maharashtra –** Dattatray Gade, the 37-year-old man accused of raping a 26-year-old woman inside a bus at Pune’s Swargate bus depot on Tuesday, was arrested late Thursday night after a three-day manhunt. Police utilized drones, 13 teams of over 100 personnel, and even a dog squad tracking his scent after a change of clothes to locate him hiding in a sugarcane field near a canal.
Gade’s arrest followed a tip-off from relatives after he visited their home. He reportedly confessed to his family, stating, “I have made a big mistake, and I have to surrender.” Villagers ultimately discovered him and alerted authorities. He was then transported to Pune and formally arrested by the Swargate Police Station’s Special Investigation Team (SIT).
Gade, a resident of Shirur, is a known repeat offender with six registered cases against him, including robbery and theft. His criminal history dates back to at least 2019, involving the theft of gold jewelry from elderly women he lured into his informal taxi. He also held a position within a local political party and unsuccessfully ran for a village council seat.
The rape sparked widespread outrage and calls for stricter measures to prevent similar incidents. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde vowed to pursue the maximum possible punishment, including the death penalty. Maharashtra’s Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik ordered a security audit of all bus depots, the removal of unauthorized vehicles, and the deployment of more female security guards. He also announced a departmental inquiry into security lapses at the Swargate depot. The incident has reignited the debate on rape laws in India, with former Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud highlighting the need for more effective preventative measures beyond legislation.
First Piper 