As the city reels from the shock of a 26-year-old woman being raped in a Shivshahi AC bus at Swargate bus stand, just 100 meters away from the Swargate Police Station, Maharashtra State Women's Commission Chairperson Rupali Chakankar said that the 'victim engaged with the accused, who was a stranger, for an extended period and shared information.'

Chakankar said that such a crime happening in such a crowded part of the city is unfortunate.

"If we look at the CCTV footage of the case, the victim was seen speaking to the accused for an extended time. The accused was wearing a mask and was a stranger; still, she shared information like where she was going, who was with her, her address, and then the accused discovered that she was alone."

Chakankar condemned the rape of a 26-year-old woman at Pune's Swargate bus stand and urged women to exercise caution while interacting with strangers.

"I urge young girls and women to be cautious in public spaces and not trust strangers blindly. They should seek assistance from the authorities and prioritize their safety. Society has dangerous elements, and their numbers are increasing by the day. We must remain vigilant," Chakankar stated.

She also said that one should not trust people on social media.

She confirmed that the administration has been instructed to provide counselling to the victim and expedite the investigation to ensure swift justice.

The Pune Police have launched a manhunt for a man accused of raping a 26-year-old woman near a parked bus in Swargate. The accused, identified as Dattatray Ramdas Gade, is currently absconding, and efforts are underway to trace him, officials said.

According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 2) Smarthana Patil, the incident occurred on Tuesday morning when the victim, a working woman, was waiting for a bus to return home.