Pune: Amidst Controversy Over Prize Money, Sarpanch of Gunat Village Refuses Bounty for Informing Police About Datta Gade
Pune :
After the arrest of Dattatray Gade, the accused in a heinous rape case at Swargate ST Stand, a major controversy has erupted in Gunat village over the Rs 1 lakh bounty announced by the police for information on him. Gade had been on the run for three days before being arrested by police, but after his capture, multiple villagers laid claim to the reward, leading to heated disputes amongst them. Amidst the growing tension, the sarpanch of Gunat village, Ramdas Kakade, has made a significant announcement rejecting the prize money.
Speaking to the media, Kakade stated that the villagers had collectively assisted the police in tracing Gade’s whereabouts. However, since multiple people were now staking a claim to the reward, it was creating an unnecessary dispute in the village. “To prevent this, we are planning to hold a meeting with the villagers and propose a resolution to reject the bounty money altogether,” Kakade said.
The sarpanch further revealed that those who had actually helped the police in locating Gade had been consulted in this regard, and they had unanimously agreed to forgo the reward. Expressing concern over the negative attention brought to their village, Kakade said, “This incident has tarnished the reputation of Gunat village, and it is nothing to be proud of.”
Explaining how the villagers assisted the police, Kakade explained that initially they learnt that the police were searching for the accused in Shikrapur and Shirur. However, when Gunat’s name surfaced in news reports, the villagers became anxious and therefore decided to cooperate with the police. Two locals later informed the police that Gade had stopped at two houses in the village to drink water. This crucial tip-off helped police track Gade’s location and eventually arrest him.
Meanwhile, amidst the public outrage over the crime, some villagers have expressed concern for the accused’s family. A villager, speaking to news channels on condition of anonymity, criticised the media’s relentless coverage outside Gade’s house. “If he is guilty, hang him—I have no sympathy for him. But for the past three days, people have been visiting his home, taking photos, and harassing his family. His wife, mother, son, and grandmother live there. Why should they suffer?” the villager questioned.
Meanwhile, Gade’s lawyers has claimed that the sexual intercourse between the accused and the victim was consensual, arguing that the allegations against Gade are false. Supporting this, Gade’s brother, Shubham Gade, insisted on Datta Gade’s innocence, saying, “He ran away because he was scared.” However, the court has rejected these claims for now and has remanded Gade in police custody till March 12.
