Special Correspondent
Pune: Pune Police have announced a reward of ₹1 lakh for any information leading to the arrest of Datta Gade, the prime accused in the Swargate rape case. Authorities have urged citizens to come forward with any leads that could help in apprehending him.
The shocking incident took place on Tuesday, February 25, when 26-year-old Datta Gade, a habitual offender, allegedly sexually assaulted a young woman at the crowded Swargate bus station. Gade, a resident of Gunat village in Shirur taluka, has been on the run since the incident, and police have been questioning his close associates to track him down.
During the investigation, police interrogated one of Gade’s female acquaintances, who provided crucial and disturbing details. She revealed that Gade used to frequently call and message her, pressuring her to introduce him to her friends.
Currently, 13 police teams are actively searching for Gade. Officers have been questioning his friends and associates, and a woman from Bhor has disclosed that Gade repeatedly harassed her over the phone. He would insist on reconciling with a mutual friend or arranging a meeting with her, causing distress with his persistent calls.
Investigators suspect that this may not be Gade’s first crime against women and that he might have a history of harassing them. The Crime Branch has already questioned at least 10 of his friends and acquaintances as part of the probe.
Pune Police have urged citizens to report any information about Gade’s whereabouts immediately, assuring confidentiality and a reward for valuable leads.
