Pune: The brother of Dattatray Gade, the accused in the Swargate rape case, has stated that while the family would accept the death penalty if Gade is found guilty, a thorough investigation into the matter must be conducted first. This remark was made during a press conference attended by the accused’s lawyers.
Gade’s brother explained that Dattatray, who used to transport vegetables from the village to the city for sale, was allegedly involved in the incident while returning home from the market. According to him, after returning, Gade never spoke about the event. He further reiterated that the family trusts the judicial and police systems and believes the victim deserves justice, but the truth behind the incident needs to be properly verified. The family would accept the death penalty without objection if the court convicts Gade.
The accused’s brother also appealed to the media to show both sides of the story, stating that only one perspective has been portrayed so far. He claimed that after the incident, the community’s perception of the family had changed, and many had distanced themselves. He added that people no longer wished to maintain contact with them. Additionally, he disclosed that Gade had been involved in six criminal cases prior to this, with one of those cases resulting in acquittal.
During the press briefing, Gade’s lawyers requested police protection, citing the threats they had been receiving for representing the accused in the case. They mentioned that they had faced harassment via phone calls and had submitted a request for security to Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar. The lawyers stressed that the court should determine the guilt of the accused, but their safety needed to be ensured amid the escalating tensions surrounding the case.
The defense lawyer, Wajid Khan, clarified that no claims had been made regarding any prior relationship or financial transactions between the accused and the victim. He refuted circulating rumors on social media suggesting the incident at Swargate bus station had occurred with consent or that the victim had received money from Gade. Khan emphasized that these rumors were unfounded and confirmed that no such statements had been made by the legal team.
