Pune Bus Rape Case: Female Commuters Urge Police To Resume Dedicated Patrolling Team’s Operations At Swargate Bus Stand | Sourced
Ensuring the safety of women travelling alone at night, the Swargate Police had launched a dedicated patrolling team in July 2023. The initiative, focused on monitoring auto-rickshaw and cab drivers operating at the Swargate bus stand, had proven to be a significant move in enhancing security.
The patrolling was active from 9pm to 9am. The team not only conducted routine inspections but also provided direct assistance to passengers. Officers shared their contact details with female passengers and meticulously recorded information about auto and cab drivers, including their driving licenses, identity cards and vehicle documents. These records were systematically maintained in police registers to ensure accountability.
The initiative was started by former Pune Police Commissioner Ritesh Kumar after an autorickshaw driver allegedly harassed a female passenger in the Wanawadi area. However, the initiative became inactive due to the transfer of police officers.
Meanwhile, in light of the recent rape of a 26-year-old woman inside a state transport ‘Shiv Shahi’ bus at the Swargate bus depot, there is a demand to bring back the night patrolling initiative.
Pratiksha Dhawale, a regular commuter at Swargate, shared her experience. “I often return late due to my dance classes. The active presence of the patrolling team had given me a sense of security. The team was highly vigilant, ensuring that women like me could travel without fear. It should be brought back,” she said.
Another commuter, Priyanka More, added, “Swargate bus stand is one of Pune’s busiest transport hubs. It witnesses a high footfall of working women and students late into the night. By prioritising women’s safety, this initiative has taken a crucial step in crime prevention. I urge the police administration to resume it. Actually, it shouldn’t have been stopped in the first place.”
The disbanded patrolling team was working under the leadership of Deputy Commissioner of Police Smartana Patil, Assistant Commissioner of Police Narayan Shirgaonkar, Senior Police Inspector Sunil Zawre, PI Somnath Jadhav, Assistant Police Inspector Ashwini Bavche and Police Sub-Inspector RR Patil.
On the basis of anonymity, a police officer expressed, “The dedicated team for women safety and night patrolling should not be assigned for any other work. As a result, they can concentrate more to nab the criminals and curb such menace.”
