Pune bus rape case: Two depot officials face probe, 23 guards sacked

MUMBAI: As many as 23 security guards working at Swargate bus depot have been removed from their posts after the rape of a woman inside a Shivshahi bus early on Tuesday.
Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) will appoint new security guards and submit a detailed report on the incident to its management within seven days, an official said.
Transport minister Pratap Sarnaik on Wednesday directed senior MSRTC officials to conduct a departmental inquiry against the assistant traffic superintendent and the depot manager of Swargate bus depot after the crime came to light.
The minister said that guilty officials will be immediately suspended. He added, "All the security guards working in this bus depot should be replaced immediately and MSRTC should appoint new personnel. A detailed report on the incident should be submitted to the MSRTC's management within seven days."
Sarnaik has also called for an urgent meeting of senior state transport and MSRTC officials at Mantralaya on Thursday to formulate a policy on safety of women in ST buses.
"At present, women are given 50% discount on travel tickets under Mahila Samman Yojana. The scheme has increased the number of women passengers to a great extent. So, their safety is a priority," he said.
The minister also reacted to media reports on scrapped buses inside ST premises being a "den for anti-social elements".
Sarnaik said, "Scrapped buses in bus depots must be immediately disposed of. Since these buses are neglected, they have become hubs for illegal activities… it encourages such incidents. Such unwanted buses should not be parked in any bus stand area. I have issued directives to all MSRTC depots."
Mumbai: As many as 23 security guards working at Swargate bus depot have been removed from their posts after the rape of a woman inside a Shivshahi bus early on Tuesday.
Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) will appoint new security guards and submit a detailed report on the incident to its management within seven days, an official said.
Transport minister Pratap Sarnaik on Wednesday directed senior MSRTC officials to conduct a departmental inquiry against the assistant traffic superintendent and the depot manager of Swargate bus depot after the crime came to light.
The minister said that guilty officials will be immediately suspended. He added, "All the security guards working in this bus depot should be replaced immediately and MSRTC should appoint new personnel. A detailed report on the incident should be submitted to the MSRTC's management within seven days."
Sarnaik has also called for an urgent meeting of senior state transport and MSRTC officials at Mantralaya on Thursday to formulate a policy on safety of women in ST buses.
"At present, women are given 50% discount on travel tickets under Mahila Samman Yojana. The scheme has increased the number of women passengers to a great extent. So, their safety is a priority," he said.
The minister also reacted to media reports on scrapped buses inside ST premises being a "den for anti-social elements".
Sarnaik said, "Scrapped buses in bus depots must be immediately disposed of. Since these buses are neglected, they have become hubs for illegal activities… it encourages such incidents. Such unwanted buses should not be parked in any bus stand area. I have issued directives to all MSRTC depots."