Chairman of Nisikhol Rural Municipality of Baglung district Surya Bahadur Gharti has been convicted in a drugs case.

A bench of judge Diwakar Bhatta of Baglung district court on Monday handed Gharti three-and-a-half years imprisonment and Rs50,000 in fine.

Gharti was arrested from his residence on June 26, 2020, with possession of 80 kgs of marijuana.

A case was filed against the then Nishikhola-6 ward chairman on the charge of storing marijuana on August 20, 2020, as per Section 4 (A) of the Drug Offenses Act, 1976.

Gharti was released on bail after serving three months in police remand.

Gharti was elected the chairman of Nisikhola Rural Municipality from the Nepali Congress in the local elections held last May while the case sub judice at the court.

Gharti is currently on the run, locals say.