A shocking incident of sexual assault has rocked Maharashtra as a 26-year-old woman was raped inside a parked bus at Pune’s Swargate Bus Stand early Tuesday morning. The crime took place just 100 meters from a police station, raising serious concerns about security at one of the city’s busiest transport hubs.
The accused, identified as 36-year-old Dattatraya Ramdas, has a prior criminal record. He was identified through CCTV footage but remains at large. Authorities have formed eight special teams and deployed a canine unit to track him down.
Crime Took Place in Dark, Unoccupied Bus
According to police reports, the incident occurred between 5:45 AM and 6:30 AM. The survivor, a domestic worker traveling to her hometown in Satara district, recounted that Ramdas lured her into the bus by pretending to offer assistance. He addressed her as ‘didi’ (sister) and assured her the vehicle was heading to her destination.
When she hesitated, noting that the bus was dark and unoccupied, Ramdas claimed other passengers were sleeping inside. Once she entered, he locked the door and assaulted her.
After the attack, the woman managed to board another bus where she informed a friend, who immediately urged her to report the crime. The police swiftly registered a case and launched an investigation, analyzing CCTV footage from the bus stand.
Security Lapses Under Scrutiny
Authorities are probing how the crime occurred inside an MSRTC (Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation) bus within a supposedly secure area. Investigators are also questioning bus stand officials about security lapses.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar called the incident “extremely distressing and infuriating.” He emphasized that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has taken serious note and directed police to arrest the accused at the earliest.
ALSO READ: Kerala Police find it tough to establish exact cause behind mass murders; Drug abuse or financial crisis?
“The crime committed by the accused is unforgivable. I have instructed the Pune Police Commissioner to personally oversee the investigation. The state government will ensure the accused receives the strictest punishment under the law,” Pawar stated on X (formerly Twitter). He also assured full support for the survivor.
However, the incident has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition, which has blamed Fadnavis—who also heads the Home Department—for failing to curb rising crime in Pune.
Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal likened the crime to the 2012 Nirbhaya case in Delhi, accusing the BJP-led government of neglecting women’s safety while focusing on populist schemes. “You promote freebies for women but ignore their basic safety,” he said.
NCP leader Supriya Sule also condemned the incident, stating, “This happened in a regularly patrolled area. Anti-social elements have no fear of the law.”
Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction) leader Vasant More led a protest at the Swargate Bus Stand, demanding stricter policing and swift justice. Videos showed enraged party workers storming the bus stand office and smashing windows in protest.
Investigation and Search for Accused Continue
As of now, Ramdas remains on the run. Police are analyzing additional CCTV footage and questioning his known associates. A senior officer confirmed, “We are leaving no stone unturned. He will be caught soon.”
This heinous crime has once again ignited the debate on women’s safety in public spaces and the effectiveness of law enforcement in Maharashtra. The coming days will be crucial in determining how swiftly justice is served.
