In a shocking incident, a 26-year-old woman was allegedly raped inside a stationary Maharashtra State Transport (ST) bus at the Swargate bus stand in Pune on Tuesday morning. The accused, identified as Dattatraya Ramdas Gade, 36, has a criminal record for theft and is currently on the run, prompting police to search for him.

The woman was waiting for a bus to Phaltan in Satara district when Gade approached her and misled her into thinking the bus was at a different platform. He took her to an empty 'Shiv Shahi' AC bus, where he then assaulted her.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Smartana Patil confirmed that CCTV footage captured the woman walking towards the bus with Gade. Many passengers were present at the station when the crime occurred. After the attack, the woman did not immediately report it to the police. Instead, she traveled to Phaltan and called a friend, who advised her to go to the police station as soon as she returned to Pune.

Police have filed a case of rape, and efforts are underway to apprehend Gade, with multiple teams deployed and a sniffer dog squad assisting in the search. 

The incident has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders, who blame the Maharashtra government for failing to ensure safety at public transport locations. NCP leader and Baramati MP Supriya Sule highlighted that a police post is nearby, yet such an attack could still occur. She called for a fast-track trial for the accused.

In response to the outrage, Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has ordered the replacement of all 23 security guards at the Swargate bus station and has announced an inquiry into the incident. 

This harrowing event has raised concerns about women's safety in public spaces and the need for better security measures at public transport stations in Maharashtra.