India, Oct. 27 -- A 29-year-old doctor dies by suicide in Satara. A note scrawled on her palm names two men - a cop and a software engineer. Within days, arrests are made. In most cases, the story would end there.

But this one didn't.

It grew into allegations of political interference, letters warning of pressure, and a fierce war of words between Maharashtra's ruling BJP and the Opposition.

The 29-year-old doctor was found hanging in her hotel room in Phaltan on October 23. On her palm, she had written the names of sub-inspector Gopal Badane and software engineer Prashant Bankar, alleging rape and harassment. Both were arrested soon after.

Investigators have since discovered that the doctor was in a relationship with Bankar, her land...