RAUTAHAT: A local leader of the Nepal Sadbhawana was found drowned in the Bagmati River at Samanpur of Rautahat district on Tuesday.

The deceased has been identified as Anil Kumar Jha (45) of Samanpur-1.

Jha, who had gone to look after crops at Barhathawa VDC in Sarlahi on Monday, might have drowned while crossing the River, according to locals.

After he did not return home till late night, his family members started a search and found his body in the river, the Samanpur-based Area Police Office informed.

Jha, who had consumed alcohol, probably lost his balance while crossing the river and drowned, police suspected.

SP Ganesh Regmi said that the body has been handed over to Jha's kin after conducting an autopsy at the District Hospital, Gaur.