- विज्ञापन -
Mumbai: Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar announced that the accused in the Pune rape case was apprehended after being discovered in a sugarcane field, with the help of a drone. He emphasized the ongoing investigation to ensure justice is served.
“Up until the day before yesterday, there were questions about why his arrest hadn’t occurred. He was hiding in a sugarcane farm, and we used a drone to locate him. His condition was such that he attempted to take his own life. I am adamant that such incidents must not happen again. Now, we are working to ensure a comprehensive investigation takes place. We will wait for the facts to emerge, and those responsible for damaging public property will be held accountable,” stated Pawar.
The accused, Dattatray Ramdas Gade, had been evading capture since Tuesday, when the rape survivor—a working woman—was waiting for a bus to return to her home in Phaltan, approximately 100 km away. He allegedly misled her, claiming the bus to her destination was parked elsewhere, and took her to a MSRTC Shivsahi bus at the depot, where he is accused of raping her. A Pune court has since placed Gade in police custody for 12 days, until March 12.
In addition to discussing the case, Pawar addressed Maharashtra’s political landscape, referencing Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s ambition to expand Shiv Sena’s presence in the state. “Everyone is entitled to broaden their party’s influence. Eknath Shinde can express that he wants to see saffron dominate the district, just as CM Fadnavis can advocate for the BJP’s presence and I can assert my desire for the NCP’s flag to be visible statewide. However, such statements lack significance. We have chosen to remain united, and the citizens will ultimately determine who receives their mandate. Our focus remains on the state’s interests,” he concluded.
