According to the police, the incident occurred in the early hours of February 25, when the victim was waiting at Swargate depot to catch a bus to her hometown in Satara. Gade, reportedly loitering at the depot, approached her, addressing her as ‘tai’ (sister) to gain trust. He falsely informed her that the bus to her destination was parked elsewhere, leading her to an empty vehicle, Shiv Shahi AC bus.
Once inside, the woman noticed the MSRTC bus was dark and empty. When she expressed hesitation and asked to leave, the accused allegedly overpowered and raped her twice before fleeing. The victim boarded another bus and later informed a male friend, who encouraged her to file a police complaint. She approached Swargate police station around 9 am, and an FIR was registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
CCTV footage from the bus depot and nearby locations helped police identify the accused. Gade, a resident of Gunat village in Shirur taluka, was apprehended early Friday after a nearly 75-hour manhunt by Pune Police.
He was taken to Sassoon hospital for a medical examination before being produced before the court. Police revealed that Gade had a criminal history with six cases pending against him— five involving women. These cases were of theft, robbery, and chain snatching.
Seeking a 14-day custody, the prosecution emphasised the severity of the crime and the need to gather evidence, including Gade’s mobile phone and clothing from the time of the incident.
However, the defence lawyers argued that it was consensual matter and there was no case of rape. They pointed out that Gade had not been convicted in any previous cases and questioned the police’s decision to detain his brother due to resemblance.
Tight security at court hearing
Given the sensitive nature of the case, many lawyers and media personnel gathered at the court. Initially, the police considered producing Gade via video conferencing due to security concerns but later presented him in person in a packed courtroom. Chaos erupted when some lawyers were asked to leave.
A heavy police presence, including Deputy Commissioners Sandeep Singh Gill and Smarthana Patil, was deployed to maintain order. The court ruled in favour of the prosecution’s request, sending Gade to police custody until March 12 for further investigation.
