PUNE: A 26-year-old preoperative counsellor with a Pune hospital was allegedly raped inside a parked bus at the city’s Swargate terminus around 5.30am Tuesday. The accused is a criminal with past cases of theft and robbery. Police teams are combing through CCTV footage and local networks to track the fugitive suspect.
The crime occurred at one of Pune’s busiest transport hubs, which sees a daily footfall of 60,000 passengers and 600 bus movements. Swargate police station is located opposite the bus terminus, raising concerns over security lapses. “After the assault, the survivor was so traumatised that she couldn’t raise an alarm,” DCP Smartana Patil said. He said the survivor was at Swargate depot to take a morning bus home when the accused approached her.
“The suspect struck a casual conversation with her, asking about her destination,” Patil said. “A little later, he told her that a bus parked nearby, where passengers usually board in advance. He led her to the bus, and when she entered to check for seats, he followed her inside, bolted the door from inside, and raped her.”
Transport minister Pratap Sarnaik ordered an inquiry into the lapses and 23 security personnel have been removed from service.
The crime has sparked widespread outrage across the state.
Shiv Sena (UBT) supporters protested at Swargate terminus, vandalising the ticket counter. Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule, state women’s commission chairperson Rupali Chakankar and others have condemned the crime, calling for the strictest action against the rapist.
NCW chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has taken suo motu cognisance of the crime and written to the Maharashtra DGP. “The accused is still at large, which raises serious concerns about public safety and law enforcement. We demand a fair and speedy investigation, along with support for the survivor,” Rahatkar said.
(With inputs from Joy Sengupta)