The police did not rule out the involvement of Ishwar Singh Nain, village sarpanch, in the murder of six members of his family here yesterday.

The sarpanch, who was absconding after the incident, has been taken into police custody and is being interrogated by the investigating agencies.

Confirming this, Superintendent of Police M. S. Ahlawat told The Indian Express that on the basis of important clues provided by the sarpanch and his brother Chander, ``a very early'' breakthrough was likely. About the alleged involvement of the sarpanch, he said, ``nothing could be ruled out''. The Superintendent said that about 15 persons from nearby villages have also been rounded up for questioning in the case.

Ahlawat said that contradictory and confusing statements were being given by different family members, some of whom were witnesses to the ghastly crime.

According to the sources, the sarpanch has named three persons in his statements, while his brother has given entirely different names, which include that of a former-sarpanch and a son of another former-sarpanch. ``All those named by them have been detained by the police for questioning,'' Ahlawat said. Sources said that the sarpanch engineered the murders because of his ``love affair'' with a woman in Hisar. The liaison was opposed by the family leading to ``frequent troubles at home'', they said.

According to another version, the sarpanch administered a sedative in the meals and, alongwith three-four accomplices, shot all the members in their sleep.

Meanwhile, the bodies, which were sent to Rohtak Medical College for post mortem yesterday, were handed over to the relatives of the sarpanch. The bodies were later cremated at the village crematorium amidst heavy security. The last rites were performed by sarpanch Ishwar Singh.

The only survivor of sarpanch Ishwar Singh's family is his married daughter, who was among the few present when the remains of the charred bodies were consigned to flames today.