NCW says Puja Chauhan was exploited

RAJKOT: Terming Puja Chauhan's decision to walk in her undergarments through the streets of this city to demand justice as a case of exploitation, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has criticised police for taking the matter lightly.

Talking to reporters here on Wednesday, NCW member Malini Bhattacharya, who heads the panel probing the case, said police had taken necessary steps but did not thoroughly investigate Chauhan's allegations that she was being harassed by her husband and mother-in-law.

Puja's semi-nude protest could have been prevented if police had investigated the matter properly, she said.

"There are so many cases registered under the Domestic Violence Act and Chauhan's case was no different. The police considered the case as one of domestic violence and took it lightly," she said.

"It is shameful for our society that the woman had to take such an extreme step," she said. "It is society's mentality that it does not give proper attention to a woman's harassment until she takes the extreme step."

However, Bhattacharya said it is difficult for the NCW to find out who exactly was responsible for Chauhan's protest and that the body had got little support from people.

"We met Puja, her parents, her husband and mother-in-law and we have found that the entire episode was a case of exploitation," she said.

Asked about Chauhan's mental state, Bhattacharya said she was not mentally unsound, but brave and intelligent and under tremendous pressure.
   
"She might be mentally disturbed only because of her exploitation for many years," Bhattacharya said.