Fri Feb 28 14:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Swargate Bus Station Rape Accused Claims No Force Used, Sent to Police Custody
**Pune, Maharashtra –** A 37-year-old history-sheeter, Dattatray Ramdas Gade, arrested for allegedly raping a 26-year-old woman inside a bus at Pune’s Swargate bus station, claims the act was consensual. His lawyer, Wajid Khan, stated that the alleged incident occurred at 5:45 AM and the survivor could have sought help if force had been used.
Gade, who fled to his hometown in Shirur after the Tuesday attack, was apprehended Friday following a large-scale police operation involving drones and sniffer dogs. His capture came after he sought food and water from a relative. A local court subsequently remanded him to 12 days of police custody.
The victim reported that Gade, initially friendly and addressing her as “didi” (sister), misled her about the location of her bus. He then led her to a dark, empty Shivshahi AC bus at the station and assaulted her.
The incident has sparked outrage, with NCP leader Supriya Sule highlighting a previous letter concerning security concerns at the Swargate bus depot. The police investigation continues.
First Piper 