Verma has even written to the Election Commission, pointing out that the murder has taken place four days before by-elections are held in Nangloi Jat constituency. Village Gheora comes under Nangloi Jat constituency. Around 6.30 a.m. today, some villagers found Ram Kumar's body on the highway, 300 m from his house. He was stabbed 13 times and the assailant(s) had attempted to disfigure his face, probably with a heavy stone. The police suspect he was killed last night.

Ram Singh is survived by his wife and four daughters. His wife has told the police her husband had left the house around 8.30 p.m. yesterday saying that he would return after collecting rent from his tenants. A youth from the same village recalls meeting him on the way.

DCP (north-west) Satyendra Garg says: ``Ram Kumar could have been killed elsewhere. There are indications that the body had been dragged for about 10 yards so that it would be noticed. Also, a youth, who stays adjacent to the spot where the body was found says he did not hear any thing or see anything in the night''.

Garg disputes the contention that Ram Kumar was a victim of political rivalry. ``In fact, his brother Bijender Rana (who is the president of the Punjabi Bagh unit of the BJP's Kisan Morcha) has told us that Ram Kumar was not even a member of the BJP. He also suspects personal enmity,'' says Garg.

The DCP says, Bijender Rana has said that neither he nor his brother had any altercation with anyone in the recent past over a political issue, especially in connection with the forthcoming bye-elections. Investigators are also taking into the account the brutality with which Ram Kumar was killed to emphasise the personal enmity angle. They believe that a political murder ``would probably have been carried out with pistols and guns''.

Adds Garg: ``Ram Kumar and Bajinder Rana had been implicated in a murder case in 1991. They were acquitted in 1993. But its possible that some people continued to have hard feelings and decided to get back by killing Ram Kumar''.

Sahib Singh Verma, however, insists that there is more to Ram Kumar's murder. In his letter to the Chief Election Commissioner, Verma says: ``My worst fears about pre-planned poll violence are coming true in Nangloi Jat. Ram Singh's murder is a clear indication that hired criminals are stalking the area to instill fear in the minds of the electorate.'' Verma adds: ``I request you to intervene and deploy additional forces in the constituency, especially in Mundka''.

Two companies of Delhi policemen have already been sent to Mundkaand Village Gheora. A police picket has also been set up in the village.