A man, who was named a person of interest by Darchula police after discovering two unclaimed bags containing nearly one million rupees in cash, a pistol and his identity card in Ghusa village on Tuesday, was found dead on Wednesday. The body of Jaman Mahata was found on the bank of Chameliya River, not far away from where the bags were found, DSP Sushil Singh Rathour said.

Police were searching for Mahata after finding his identity card in one of the bags.

 DSP Rathour said they found Mahata’s body with wounds in his head and body.

A bloody knife was also recovered from the scene.

Mahata’s family said that he had left home, at Sipti VDC-3, last week to go to Marma to sell yarchagumba, highly priced parasitic fungi used for medicinal purpose. He was accompanied by a fellow villager, Damodar Dhami. Dhami was reported missing by his family a few days ago, making the case all the more compelling, DSP Rathour said.

Mahata’s body has been taken to Gokuleshwor Hospital for post-mortem. Police, meanwhile, are searching for missing Dhami.