Pune Bus Rape Case: Maharashtra Deputy CM assures thorough investigation

A Pune court has remanded Dattatray Ramdas Gade, the accused in the Pune bus rape case, to 12 days of police custody until March 12. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar addressed the incident on Saturday, emphasizing that a detailed investigation is underway to ensure justice.

Pawar revealed that the accused was hiding in a sugarcane field and was apprehended using drone surveillance. “People were questioning why he had not been arrested earlier. He was in hiding, and when located, he even attempted to die by suicide. Such incidents should never happen anywhere, and we are committed to ensuring a thorough probe. Let the facts emerge through a proper investigation,” Pawar stated.

The incident occurred on Tuesday when the survivor, a working woman, was waiting for a bus to return home to Phaltan, located about 100 km away. The accused allegedly misled her, claiming her bus was parked elsewhere, and then took her to an MSRTC Shivshahi bus parked at the depot, where the crime took place.

The accused had been on the run since the incident but was finally detained from Shirur. Authorities have also warned against vandalizing public property in response to the case.

Political Comments on Maharashtra Leadership

Shifting focus to state politics, Pawar commented on Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s remarks about expanding the Shiv Sena’s influence. He acknowledged that every party has the right to grow, stating, “Just as Shinde wants to expand Shiv Sena, BJP leaders may want their party’s flag across districts, and I, too, want to see NCP’s presence everywhere. However, ultimately, it is the people who decide the mandate, and our focus remains on the state’s welfare.”

The case continues to be under investigation, with law enforcement ensuring a comprehensive probe to deliver justice.