Mumbai, Feb 27: In a high-intensity operation, Pune police deployed drones and dog squads in Shirur taluka to track down history-sheeter Dattatray Ramdas Gade (37), the prime suspect in the Swargate bus rape case.
Gade is accused of sexually assaulting a 26-year-old woman inside a Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) Shiv Shahi bus at Pune’s Swargate bus station two days ago. With mounting pressure to apprehend him, authorities have intensified efforts to locate him.
According to officials, at least 13 teams of Pune city police are actively searching for Gade, a resident of Gunat village. The Pune Rural Police have joined the operation, focusing on sugarcane fields in Gunat, where he is suspected to be hiding.
A heavy police presence, including over 100 personnel and senior officials, was deployed in the village on Thursday afternoon. Drones are being used for aerial surveillance, and dog squads have been roped in to aid the search efforts.
In an effort to fast-track his capture, Pune police have announced a ₹1 lakh reward for any credible information leading to Gade’s arrest. Meanwhile, authorities in Pune City are interrogating his friends, relatives, and acquaintances to gather intelligence on his whereabouts.
Pune Rural Police have also expanded their search in Shirur taluka, leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of the accused.
The incident has sparked outrage, putting law enforcement under significant pressure to ensure swift justice.
