Pune police commissioner Amitesh Kumar on Thursday introduced a ₹1 lakh reward for data on history-sheeter Dattatreya Ramdas Gade (36), who allegedly raped a 26-year-old girl inside a Maharashtra State Highway Transport Company (MSRTC) bus at Swargate station on February 25.
Initially from Gunat village in Shirur tehsil of Pune district, Gade reportedly returned to his house after committing the crime. Police recovered his garments and footwear from the residence. (REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO)
Amid mounting strain, the police have additionally elevated the variety of groups monitoring Gade from eight to 13.
A poster that includes his {photograph} has been launched, urging folks to offer data at 020-24442769 or 9881670659. The police have assured informants that their id can be stored confidential.
Circumstances of theft and theft concentrating on senior residents, notably girls, have been lodged in opposition to Gade at Shirur, Shikrapur, and Ahilyanagar police stations. Police stated he was launched on bail in a theft case in 2019 and was not too long ago summoned in a 2024 theft case in Pune.
Married with two kids and aged mother and father, Gade usually masqueraded as a police officer to deceive victims.
Initially from Gunat village in Shirur tehsil of Pune district, Gade reportedly returned to his house after committing the crime. Police recovered his garments and footwear from the residence.
“The accused wore a mask during the crime, making identification difficult. However, through informers and CCTV footage analysis, we confirmed it was Gade,” stated Smartana Patil, deputy commissioner of police (zone II).
CCTV footage reveals Gade stepping out of the bus with the survivor. “We suspect he was at the bus terminus for bag-lifting. We have deployed 13 teams to track and arrest him at the earliest,” stated Patil.
Round 5:45 am on Tuesday, whereas the sufferer waited for a bus to Phaltan in Satara district, Gade approached her by addressing her as ‘Tai’ (sister), claimed the bus had arrived at one other platform, and led her to a darkened Shivshahi bus, the place he assaulted her.
Police have additionally questioned Gade’s relations and shut acquaintances within the incident.