Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 1: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Saturday provided an update on the arrest of the accused in the Pune rape case, revealing that the suspect, Dattatray Ramdas Gade, had been hiding in a sugarcane farm before being captured using a drone. Pawar assured that the investigation was ongoing and emphasized that justice would be served.
“Till day before yesterday, people were raising questions about why he was not arrested. He was hiding in a sugarcane farm. We used a drone to catch him. His situation was such that he tried to die by suicide. I am firm on the point that such incidents shall not happen anywhere. Now, efforts are being made to get the case investigated properly. Let the facts come out after a detailed investigation. Action will be taken against those who are vandalising public property,” Pawar said.
The incident occurred on Tuesday when the victim, a working woman, was waiting for a bus to return home to Phaltan, located about 100 km away from Pune. Gade allegedly approached the woman, falsely claiming that the bus to her destination was parked elsewhere. He then led her to an MSRTC Shivsahi bus parked in the depot, where the assault took place.
A Pune court on Friday remanded the accused, Dattatray Ramdas Gade, to 12 days of police custody until March 12.
In the same address, Pawar also commented on Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s statement about expanding the Shiv Sena’s influence across the state. “Everyone has the right to expand their party. Wherever Eknath Shinde goes in the state, he can say that he wants to saffronise the district. In the same way, CM Fadnavis can say he wants to see the BJP’s flag in the whole district. Similarly, I can also say that I want to see NCP’s flag everywhere in the state. But there is nothing special about it. We have decided to be united. It’s the people who decide who gets the mandate. We keep the interest of the state ahead while working,” Pawar stated, emphasizing the NCP’s commitment to unity and prioritizing the state’s welfare.
As the investigation continues, authorities are working diligently to ensure justice for the victim, while also addressing concerns related to vandalism in the aftermath of the incident.