Pune: The technical investigation into the mobile records of accused Dattatray Gade, who allegedly raped a young woman inside a Shivshahi bus at Swargate ST Stand, has revealed that the victim and the accused were not in contact with each other.
Earlier, a lawyer known to the accused had claimed that Gade and the victim were in touch, sparking media discussions. However, forensic analysis has confirmed that there was no prior communication between them.
The incident occurred when the victim, a passenger preparing to travel out of town, was misled by Gade, who pretended to be a bus conductor. He then took her inside a stationary bus at the depot and raped her. Following the crime, Pune Police tracked and arrested Gade from Gunat village in Shirur Taluka.
A court has remanded Gade to police custody until March 12. Police have also recorded statements from the Shivshahi bus driver and conductor. Additionally, a DNA test will be conducted at Sassoon Hospital, and blood samples of the accused have been collected for forensic analysis.
The police have seized Gade’s mobile phone, and technical examination confirmed that he and the victim had no prior contact. It has been revealed that Gade threatened to kill the victim and, despite her desperate pleas for mercy, raped her twice inside the bus.
To strengthen the case, the police have sent the Shivshahi bus for forensic examination, and efforts are underway to gather strong evidence against Gade.
During the assault, Gade reportedly strangled the victim, causing her extreme fear. In a desperate attempt to survive, she begged him to let her go. However, Gade took advantage of her vulnerability and committed the heinous crime.
