Pune ST Bus Rape Case: Advocate Claims Accused and Victim Knew Each Other, Had Financial Transactions

In a shocking revelation in the Swargate ST bus rape case, advocate Sumeet Pote, who knows the accused, claimed that the accused and the victim had known each other for a month and had financial dealings. Pote alleged that a ₹7,500 transaction occurred between them at the time of the incident, which was not mentioned during the court hearing, he told the regional media.

"We spoke to the accused with the court’s permission. He informed us that he had known the woman for 31 days. If you closely examine the CCTV footage, you will see that the woman is following the accused. Moreover, the accused is not seen forcing her in any way. When they get off the bus, the accused steps down first, followed by the woman. Despite the Swargate police station being just 50 meters away, she did not immediately file a complaint. Instead, she traveled to her village and later returned to Swargate to report the incident," Pote said.

"The accused had given the woman ₹7,500 in cash, which led to an argument between them. After this, the accused left, and there was no coercion involved. The accused had initially offered to transfer the money online, but the woman insisted on cash. So, he gave her cash,” he added.

According to police submissions in court, the victim had been waiting at Swargate bus depot around 5:30 am to catch a bus to her hometown in Satara district when the accused, who was loitering around the depot, approached her. He allegedly gained her trust by addressing her as "tai" (sister) and misled her, claiming that her bus was parked at another location.

Police said Gade led the woman to a Shivshahi bus, which operates on the Swargate-Solapur route. The victim found the bus unlit and asked to leave, saying, "Dada, mala baher jau dya, mala ghari jayche ahe (Brother, let me get out of the bus, I have to go home)." However, Gade allegedly assaulted her inside the bus.


Police informed the court that Gade is a history-sheeter with six previous criminal cases, five of which involved women. They argued that this pattern demonstrated his predatory behavior.

Investigators have sought custody of the accused to conduct his medical examination, seize his mobile phone and clothes from the time of the crime, and determine whether he has committed similar offences in the past. They are also probing whether he had any accomplices.

Assistant Public Prosecutor Bhagyashree Sancheti Dagale got 12 days of police custody of the accused, stating that the crime was "of a very serious nature."

The incident, which occurred early on Tuesday (February 25), involved the rape of a 26-year-old woman inside a Shivshahi ST bus at the Swargate ST depot. The case has triggered widespread outrage across the state. The prime accused, Dattatray Gade (35), a resident of Gunat village in Shirur, was arrested and has been remanded to 12 days in police custody.