A suspected smear campaign on the eve of the local elections targeted the brother of a woman who was at the heart of a murder 12 years ago.

A leaflet aimed at Harinder Mahil, the successful Labour candidate for Medway Council, was widely distributed in his Fort Pitt ward the night before polling day on May 4.

A Labour Party South East spokesman said: “Our understanding is this matter is subject to an ongoing police investigation, and so it would be inappropriate to comment while that investigation is taking place.”

It is understood the literature, which is said to have been dropped to as many as 2,500 homes, may have breached electoral law.

Cllr Mahil, who has since been appointed portfolio holder for heritage, culture and leisure in the new Labour administration, said he was unable to comment on the matter.

There is no evidence whatsoever that he was involved in the killing or has done anything wrong.

Labour leader Cllr Vince Maple, who represents the neighbouring Chatham Central, referred KentOnline to the Labour Party South East.

Cllr Mahil's sister Mundill Mahil, was a 19-year-old medicine student at the University of Sussex when she was involved in an attack on a man who had sexually assaulted her.

A court heard how she lured Gagandip Singh, a 21-year-old television executive, to her digs where two “hitmen” were in wait to beat him up.

Unconscious Mr Singh was then bundled into the boot of a car which was then set on fire and he burned to death.

Former Rochester Grammar School pupil Ms Mahil was acquitted of murder, but found guilty by a jury at the Old Bailey of grievous bodily harm with intent. She was sentenced to six years in a young offenders’ institution.

The two hitmen were locked up for a minimum of 22 years and 12 years.

It is not clear who was behind the leaflets, titled 'Know who you are voting for this Thursday' but they make unfounded accusations against Cllr Mahil in regard to Mr Singh's death.

KentOnline reported in February 2021, Mundill and her close-knit family were still receiving death threats a decade later.

Despite the leaflet, Cllr Mahil, who was first elected in Chatham Central in 2019, received a total of 1,634 votes on May 4.

Former councillor Rupert Turpin, who was defeated as the Tory candidate in the Chatham ward, saw the leaflets being delivered.

He says a minibus pulled up and he spotted the leaflets dropped off at homes he was visiting to canvas for votes.