Pune: Another incident raising concerns over lack of safety for women in urban India has sent shockwaves.
A 26-year-old woman was allegedly raped inside a Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) airconditioned bus, which was waiting on Tuesday morning at Swargate bus stop, a busy depot filled with people. The appalling incident triggered protests in the city on Wednesday.
The accused, identified by police as 36-year-old Dattatraya Gade, allegedly approached the woman and convinced her that the bus she wanted to board was parked near another platform on the premises. He took her to an empty bus and raped her before fleeing.
The accused, who has cases of theft and chain snatching registered against his name, is on the run. Pune police have deployed eight teams to track him.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognizance of the Pune bus rape case, and sought urgent action.
In a letter to Maharashtra’s Director General of Police, NCW chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has directed authorities to — i) Ensure a fair and time-bound investigation; ii) Extend all necessary support to the victim; iii) Arrest the accused at the earliest and ensure strict legal proceedings; iv) Submit action taken report along with FIR copy to NCW within 3 days.
Bus stop vandalised by Shive Sena (UBT) workers
Protesters, led by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Vasant More, vandalised a security office at Swargate bus stop, where the terrible crime took place. Window panes were smashed and furniture damaged in the security office.
Justifying the vandalism, More told ANI: “The incident that took place here, it happened in front of security cabin. If a woman is raped in front of security cabin, nobody has the right to sit there.”
Female activists raised slogans against the BJP-led Maharashtra coalition government, according to PTI.
NCP (Sharad Pawar) leader Supriya Sule slammed the state government.
“There is a police post nearby and the area is routinely patrolled. Still such an assault takes place at Swargate, which shows that anti-social elements do not have any fear of law. The home department has failed to curb crime in Pune. The trial of this case should be held in a fast-track court and the accused must get severe punishment,” Sule said.
