The National Commission for Women has asked the Gujarat government to provide protection and ensure long-term rehabilitation for Rajkot-based Pooja Chauhan, who had to stage a semi-nude protest to draw attention to the alleged harassment by her in-laws.

“We have asked the police and administration to provide protection, shelter and counselling to Pooja and ensure her long-term rehabilitation as she can not live with her husband and in-laws due to dowry harassment,” NCW chairperson Girija Vyas told reporters here on Thursday.

Taking suo motu cognisance of a news report on Pooja’s protest, a four-member inquiry team headed by commission member Malini Bhattacharya visited Rajkot and an investigation found that the 22-year-old woman was being sexually exploited over a period of time.The police had already registered a case against her husband and in-laws under the Domestic Violence (prohibition) Act.

“Registering a case against her tormentors is not enough and we will follow up her case and ensure that she gets justice,” Ms Vyas said.

She also said that the state police and administration had been asked to send an Action Taken Report within a month on the issue.