India, Oct. 29 -- "Instead of giving her justice, people are questioning my daughter's character," said the grieving father of the young government doctor, who was found hanging in her hotel room in Phaltan, in Satara, on October 23.

His deeply emotional appeal comes a day after a visit to Phaltan from Rupali Chakankar, chairperson of the Maharashtra State Women's Commission (MSWC). Chakankar's comments on the doctor are being seen by some as tarnishing her character.

Controversy over the doctor's death continues to rage as anger spilt over in her native village, Wadwani in Beed district. Observing a complete shutdown, or bandh, on Tuesday, locals and relatives of the doctor insist that she was murdered. They also allege that the accuse...