Following the incident of rape of a 26-year-old woman inside a state transport bus at the Swargate bus station in Pune, protesters led by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Vasant More on Wednesday vandalised the security office on the premises. The Sena (UBT) workers smashed the window panes and furniture inside the security office while women activists shouted slogans against the BJP-led Maharashtra government over the incident.
Meanwhile, their party chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday called More and lauded him for the action. In an audio recording shared by the former Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) corporator, Thackeray was heard praising More. "The incident is beyond words...Congratulate everyone on my behalf...," Thackeray added. More replied, "We were only 3-4 party workers....4 Shiv Shahi buses are in a state of disrepair in the depot, and people have literally turned them into a lodging facility...All these people walk right past the security guards..."
पुणे प्रकरणानंतर आंदोलन, पक्षप्रमुख मा. श्री. उद्धवसाहेब ठाकरे ह्यांनी शिवसेना राज्य संघटक वसंत मोरे ह्यांचे केले कौतुक! pic.twitter.com/ZVFfjpKrJ3
— ShivSena - शिवसेना Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (@ShivSenaUBT_) February 27, 2025
Know more about the incident
According to the police, a 26-year-old woman was waiting for a bus to Phaltan at one of the platforms at the Swargate bus station around 5.45am on Tuesday. Accused Dattatraya Ramdas Gade (36) approached her and said the bus for Satara had arrived at another platform. He took her to an empty Shiv Shahi AC bus parked elsewhere on the station premises. As the lights inside the bus were not on, she hesitated to get in at first, but the man convinced her that it was the right vehicle. He then followed her inside and raped her before fleeing.
Meanwhile, the Pune City Police have released a poster of the wanted accused, urging the public to come forward with information. The poster mentions that a case under section 64, 351(2) of 2023 has been registered against the accused.
Swargate Bus Rape Case: Pune Police Announce ₹1 Lakh Reward for Information on Absconding Accused@CPPuneCity @PuneCityPolice pic.twitter.com/ykZOw59wRh
— Pune First (@Pune_First) February 27, 2025
Smartana Patil, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Zone II, Pune, added, "We have declared a Rs one lakh cash award for the person who helps in nabbing the accused. We have sent the bus for forensic investigation. Our teams have been working day and night since the incident happened."