Former Jammu and Kashmir MLC and National Conference leader Tarlochan Singh Wazir was found dead in a flat in West Delhi on Thursday, NDTV reported.

The police said they recovered the decomposed body of the former MLC from the third floor of the flat in Basai Darapur area after neighbours complained about a stench coming from the house.

The police said the flat was rented by a man identified as Harpreet Singh a few months ago, reported ANI.

They said the former MLC arrived in Delhi from Jammu on September 1 and was supposed to board a flight to Canada two days later. But he did not board the flight, the police said, adding that his family members were looking for him.

The police said initial inquiry suggested that Wazir was shot dead. They have registered a murder case under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code.

“After receiving information from Jammu police, we began our search,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (West Delhi) Urvija Goel. “The cause of death is yet to be ascertained.”

Harpreet Singh, in whose flat the body was found, had told Wazir’s family that the former MLC was under quarantine in Frankfurt while on his way to Canada. Singh is absconding, Goel said.

The police have recovered Wazir’s phone and examining it for details. They said that they were trying to access the CCTV footage of the area.

Meanwhile, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah expressed shock at Wazir’s death. Wazir was the former president of the district Gurdwara Committee in Jammu.

“It was only a few days ago that we sat together in Jammu not realising it was the last time I would be meeting him,” Abdullah tweeted. “May his soul rest in peace.”

Srinagar Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu offered condolences to Wazir’s family.