Pune Shivshahi bus rape accused married, has a son; photos with politicians trigger political controversy

A political storm has erupted after photos emerged showing the accused in the Pune Shivshahi bus rape case posing with political leaders from the Shirur constituency in Pune district, according to a report in The Indian Express.

The accused, identified as Dattatraya Ramdas Gade (37), hails from Gunat village in Shirur taluka and has a criminal history. Police confirmed that Gade has been previously booked in around six cases related to robbery and theft.

Gade, who is married and a father, was out on bail at the time of the incident. On Tuesday, he allegedly raped a 26-year-old woman inside a government-run Shivshahi bus parked at Swargate bus depot.

One viral photograph shows Gade posing with a group of men, including Shirur MLA Mauli Katke from the NCP’s Ajit Pawar faction. Another photo shows Gade featured on a banner extending birthday wishes to former MLA Ashok Pawar, who belongs to the NCP’s Sharad Pawar faction.

Both Katke and Pawar have denied any association with Gade. Katke clarified that as a public representative, countless people approach him for photographs. He condemned the crime, stating the accused should be given the harshest punishment, even the death penalty.

Similarly, Ashok Pawar distanced himself from Gade, urging police to investigate who Gade was working for and the purpose behind his reported visits to Ujjain, where he allegedly escorted several people on behalf of a local MLA from the ruling party.

Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, Ambadas Danve, also questioned the accused’s alleged political links. “I won’t name anyone right now, but I have information that a ruling party MLA had taken a group of people to Ujjain, and Gade was responsible for coordinating the trip. This raises serious concerns about his political connections.”

Commenting on the matter, Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam said, “The accused’s political background is irrelevant to the case. In the eyes of the law, an accused is simply an accused. Our sole focus is on ensuring justice is served.”

Police sources revealed that Gade, a member of a farming family, had previously purchased a four-wheeler on loan and used it to ferry passengers between Pune and Ahmednagar. During these trips, Gade allegedly committed robberies, including snatching gold ornaments from female passengers at knifepoint.