As Pune prepares to celebrate Women’s Day, a disturbing incident has reignited fears about women’s safety in the city. A 26-year-old woman was raped in a stationary Shivshahi bus at Swargate ST Stand, barely a few meters from the Swargate Police Station. This crime, which took place just two days after Pune’s Police Commissioner assured the public of effective crime management, has raised pressing concerns about the increasing vulnerability of women in Pune.
Pune, once regarded as a relatively safe city for women, is witnessing a disturbing rise in crimes against them. This latest case comes just months after a young woman was gang-raped at Bopdev Ghat. Incidents of harassment, molestation, and assault are being reported with alarming frequency, making safety a growing concern for women navigating public spaces.
In recent months, shocking incidents have surfaced: a woman was punched in the face on a busy road in Aundh; two young women were chased by a man masturbating in broad daylight; a woman feeding stray dogs was assaulted by neighbors and discouraged from filing a complaint; and just days ago, a female software engineer was harassed by a cab driver who engaged in obscene behavior while driving.
The Swargate victim, a hospital counselor residing in Aundh-Baner, was waiting for a bus to Phaltan at around 6 a.m. on Tuesday when the accused, identified as Dattatray Ramdas Gade, lured her into a deserted bus by claiming it was ready for departure. Once inside, he locked the doors, assaulted her, and fled the scene. Initially hesitant to report the crime, the survivor later confided in a friend and approached the police.
Authorities have since identified the accused through CCTV footage and deployed multiple teams to track him down. The survivor is currently stable and receiving medical attention at Sassoon General Hospital.
स्वारगेट बस स्थानकात तरुणीवर बस मध्ये बलात्कार झाल्याची घटना अत्यंत धक्कादायक आहे.
— Ravindra Dhangekar Official (@DhangekarINC) February 26, 2025
स्वारगेट बस स्थानक प्रशासन व स्वारगेट पोलीस स्टेशनच्या अधिकाऱ्यांनी ही घटना गांभीर्याने घेतली पाहिजे. राज्यातील अनेक जिल्ह्यांमधून स्वारगेट बस स्थानकावर मोठ्या संख्येने महिला प्रवासी येतात. परंतु… pic.twitter.com/B9mGexDgRu
The incident has sparked political outrage, with leaders such as NCP MP Supriya Sule, MLA Rohit Pawar, and former Kasba MLA Ravindra Dhangekar questioning the police’s effectiveness. While Sule emphasized the proximity of the police station to the crime scene, Dhangekar pointed out the poor infrastructure and inadequate lighting at Swargate Station, highlighting the need for urgent improvements in public safety measures.
Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar recently presented the city’s annual crime statistics, acknowledging a sharp rise in reported cases of rape and molestation. In 2024, Pune recorded 505 rape cases and 864 molestation cases—significantly higher than the 410 rape cases and 775 molestation cases reported in 2023.
The commissioner highlighted new measures like a toll-free women’s helpline (1091) and a dedicated WhatsApp complaint number (8975953100). However, with serious crimes continuing to take place, these measures are being questioned for their effectiveness in ensuring women’s safety.
अतिशय संतापजनक!
— Supriya Sule (@supriya_sule) February 26, 2025
स्वारगेटसारख्या गजबजलेल्या बस स्थानक परिसरात एका तरुणीवर लैंगिक अत्याचार झाल्याची घटना समोर आली आहे. विशेष म्हणजे स्वारगेट बस स्थानकाच्या जवळच पोलीस चौकी आहे. शिवाय पोलीस कर्मचारी बस स्थानकावर वेळोवेळी गस्त घालत असतात. तरीही अशा पद्धतीचा घृणास्पद गुन्हा करण्याची…
The Swargate rape case has once again put the spotlight on the urgent need for better security infrastructure, swift legal action, and increased patrolling in public areas. As Women’s Day approaches, the city must reflect on whether symbolic celebrations are enough or if real, systemic changes are required to make Pune a safer place for women.
Protest Against Swargate Rape Incident: NCP Sharad Pawar Faction Calls for Strong Action
“The recent rape incident at Swargate Bus Depot, one of Pune’s busiest public spaces, has sparked outrage and condemnation. The attack on a young woman in the so-called ‘cultural capital’ of Maharashtra has left the city in shock and raised serious concerns about women’s safety. Blaming the government for failing to protect women, the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar faction) has accused state authorities of prioritizing political interests over public security. The party has demanded the immediate resignation of Maharashtra’s Home Minister and Chief Minister, holding them morally responsible for the deteriorating law and order situation. In response, the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) has announced a massive protest on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Swargate Chowk to demand justice for the victim and stricter safety measures for women in Pune,” said Prashant Sudamrao Jagtap, Pune City President, NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar).