While Pune reels from the shock of the Swargate rape case, many women in the city are feeling increasingly insecure after hearing about the incident. Women in Pune have long been advised not to visit secluded areas and outskirts at night, especially after the Bopdev Ghat rape case. However, this time, the rape occurred at one of the busiest spots in the city, Swargate Bus Station, just 100 meters away from the Swargate Police Station, intensifying the fear among many women.

Despite this, victim-blaming continues. The comment sections of news articles are flooded with questions like "Why did she go to the bus station at 5 a.m.?" "Why did she go inside the bus?" and "Why didn’t she shout?" Additionally, statements from Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam, Women's Commission chief Rupali Chakankar, and DCP of Zone 2 Smartana Patil are also receiving criticism for victim-shaming and blaming.

Here's what they exactly said

A pervert sweet talks and brainwashes a woman. There is no argument or use of force. Whatever happened, happened silently. So people around could not be alerted. So instead of indulging in a blame game, let the accused be arrested so that the situation gets clear

- Maharashtra Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam on Thursday

Police maintain patrols, but it's not feasible for officers to check every bus to see what's happening. Since this bus was inside the depot, the question of the depot's security also arises. Additionally, after the incident, the girl left the spot on another bus. If she had screamed, people might have come to her aid. The CCTV footage shows the accused getting off the bus, and the girl also leaving shortly after

- DCP Smartana Patil said on Wednesday

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

- Maharashtra State Women's Commission Chairperson Rupali Chakankar on Wednesday

Meanwhile, the accused, Dattatray Ramdas Gade, was apprehended from a paddy field following an extensive search operation with the help of drones and sniffer dogs around midnight in Shirur tehsil.

Pune police have said a ligature mark was found on the accused's neck, raising suspicion that he might have attempted suicide.

The accused Dattatray Ramdas Gade was absconding since the incident happened on Tuesday, when the rape survivor, a working woman, was waiting for a bus to return home to Phaltan, which is located around 100 km away. The accused allegedly approached her, falsely claiming that the bus to her destination was parked elsewhere. He led her to a MSRTC Shivsahi bus parked in the depot, where he allegedly raped her.