Outrage in Pune Over Bus Stand Assault

A 26-year-old woman was allegedly raped in a parked state transport bus at Pune's Swargate bus stand. The suspect, with a criminal history, remains at large. Opposition leaders have criticized the Maharashtra government for inadequate crime control. Police are actively searching for the accused.

A 26-year-old woman was allegedly raped by a man inside a stationary MSRTC bus at Pune's Swargate bus stand, authorities reported on Wednesday. The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with political leaders criticizing the state's Home Department for its handling of crime in the region.

The suspect, identified as Dattatraya Ramdas Gade, was captured on CCTV footage luring the woman into the bus, where the alleged assault took place. Gade, with previous records of theft and chain snatching, is still at large as police intensify their search efforts.

Opposition leaders, such as Supriya Sule of the NCP, have condemned the BJP-led Maharashtra government, calling for prompt justice. They argue that this incident reflects a failure of law enforcement to ensure safety, even in areas under regular police surveillance.