Pune bus assault: Accused arrested after 75-hour manhunt

After an extensive 75-hour manhunt involving nearly 500 police personnel, dog squads, drones, and support from over 400 villagers, Pune Police on Friday, 28 February, arrested Dattatray Ramdas Gade, the accused in the rape of a 26-year-old woman inside a stationary bus at the Swargate bus station.

The breakthrough in the case came when Gade, 37, who had been on the run since the incident, stopped at a house in Shirur tehsil to ask for drinking water. The homeowner, recognising him from police alerts, promptly informed the authorities.

Soon after, police teams tracked Gade down to a farm and arrested him around 1:10 a.m. on the intervening night of Thursday, 27 February and Friday, 28 February, Pune police commissioner Amitesh Kumar confirmed at a press briefing.

Gade’s arrest follows an intense operation spearheaded by the Pune Police, who deployed 13 teams, equipped with drones and K9 units, across Shirur and Gunat village. Law enforcement officers also conducted searches in the sugarcane fields and other remote areas.

“We had been searching for the accused for three days with significant police and community support. Our dog squad identified multiple locations, leading us to the accused,” Kumar stated.

The individual who tipped off the police about Gade’s whereabouts will receive a Rs 1 lakh reward, as previously announced by the authorities.

Commissioner Kumar emphasised that the Pune Police is determined to build a watertight case against Gade. A special counsel will be appointed, and the case will be prosecuted in a fast-track court.

“We are conducting a women’s safety audit and preparing stronger measures to enhance security,” he added.

Following his arrest, Gade reportedly attempted suicide but failed. Police found rope marks on his neck and he was given a medical examination. “He claimed the rope broke and locals intervened to save him. However, we are verifying the circumstances of this alleged attempt,” Kumar said.

The attack occurred on Tuesday, 25 February, at the Swargate bus depot, one of Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation’s (MSRTC) busiest hubs. The survivor, a medical professional, was waiting for a bus to Phaltan in Satara district when Gade approached her, addressing her as ‘didi’ (sister) and misleading her about the location of the bus. He then lured her into an empty ‘Shiv Shahi’ AC bus and committed the crime.

Gade has a history of criminal activities, including theft, robbery and chain-snatching, with multiple cases registered against him in Pune and Ahilyanagar districts. He had been out on bail since 2019 in one such offence.

The incident has triggered widespread public anger, with Uddhav Sena workers vandalising a security cabin at the Swargate depot in a rage. Authorities have assured that preventive measures will be taken against repeat offenders with past molestation or rape charges.