Pune, February 28 — A desperate request for food and water led to the capture of 37-year-old Dattatray Ramdas Gade, accused of sexually assaulting a woman inside a bus parked at Pune's Swargate bus station. The accused was arrested late at night following an extensive police manhunt involving drones and sniffer dogs in Shirur tehsil.
The dramatic arrest unfolded around midnight in Gunat village, Shirur, after the police intensified their efforts upon receiving crucial leads from local residents. Gade, who fled to his hometown following the crime, was spotted hiding in a paddy field after he had earlier approached a local house, seeking water. The residents, who handed Gade a bottle of water, immediately informed authorities about his presence.
Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, addressing the media, confirmed, "A ligature mark was found on the accused's neck during the preliminary medical examination, indicating a possible suicide attempt. We are awaiting the final medical report."
Joint Commissioner of Police Ranjan Kumar Sharma had personally supervised the operation, guiding 13 police teams deployed to locate Gade. The manhunt had temporarily paused after dark but swiftly resumed when the vital tip-off came through.
Gade, a known criminal with a record of theft, robbery, and chain-snatching cases across Pune and Ahilyanagar districts, had been out on bail since 2019. After the alleged assault on the 26-year-old woman early Tuesday morning, he fled to Shirur, switched off his mobile phone, and evaded immediate capture.
Commissioner Kumar praised Gunat village residents for their cooperation, stating, "Their prompt response greatly assisted us in apprehending the accused."
The accused was brought back to Pune at around 2 am and underwent a medical examination before his formal arrest. He will be presented in court later today, with authorities planning to expedite the legal process by forming a dedicated investigation team. Kumar also mentioned plans to seek a fast-track trial and the appointment of a special counsellor for the case.
Following the alarming incident, police completed a comprehensive safety audit of the Swargate bus depot, identifying vulnerabilities like poor lighting, inadequate security, and unsecured bus doors. Recommendations from the audit will be presented to the state transport department, and prompt corrective measures are expected.
The investigation continues, and Pune Police remain committed to swiftly delivering justice and enhancing public safety measures across transport hubs in the city.
The dramatic arrest unfolded around midnight in Gunat village, Shirur, after the police intensified their efforts upon receiving crucial leads from local residents. Gade, who fled to his hometown following the crime, was spotted hiding in a paddy field after he had earlier approached a local house, seeking water. The residents, who handed Gade a bottle of water, immediately informed authorities about his presence.
Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, addressing the media, confirmed, "A ligature mark was found on the accused's neck during the preliminary medical examination, indicating a possible suicide attempt. We are awaiting the final medical report."
Joint Commissioner of Police Ranjan Kumar Sharma had personally supervised the operation, guiding 13 police teams deployed to locate Gade. The manhunt had temporarily paused after dark but swiftly resumed when the vital tip-off came through.
Gade, a known criminal with a record of theft, robbery, and chain-snatching cases across Pune and Ahilyanagar districts, had been out on bail since 2019. After the alleged assault on the 26-year-old woman early Tuesday morning, he fled to Shirur, switched off his mobile phone, and evaded immediate capture.
Commissioner Kumar praised Gunat village residents for their cooperation, stating, "Their prompt response greatly assisted us in apprehending the accused."
The accused was brought back to Pune at around 2 am and underwent a medical examination before his formal arrest. He will be presented in court later today, with authorities planning to expedite the legal process by forming a dedicated investigation team. Kumar also mentioned plans to seek a fast-track trial and the appointment of a special counsellor for the case.
Following the alarming incident, police completed a comprehensive safety audit of the Swargate bus depot, identifying vulnerabilities like poor lighting, inadequate security, and unsecured bus doors. Recommendations from the audit will be presented to the state transport department, and prompt corrective measures are expected.
The investigation continues, and Pune Police remain committed to swiftly delivering justice and enhancing public safety measures across transport hubs in the city.
