AL MP Bodi jailed for 3yrs for concealing wealth

Awami League lawmaker from Cox’s Bazar Abdur Rahman Bodi was jailed for three years and fined Tk 10 lakh for concealing his wealth statement to the Anti-Corruption Commission.

Judge Abu Ahmed Jomadar of Special Judge’s Court handed over the verdict in his presence at the courtroom – for the first time, punishing a lawmaker in power over graft.

Bodi will have to serve in jail for three months more if he fails to pay the fine.

The controversial lawmaker from Cox’s Bazar broke into tears at the docks upon hearing the verdict, reports our court correspondent. He was later sent to jail.

His lawyer Mahbuba Ahmed told The Daily Star that Bodi will challenge the judgment.

Legal steps will be taken against the people who are involved with the corruption, Anti-Corruption Commission Chairman Iqbal Mahmud said today after the verdict.

It does not matter how influential a person is, he said in his reaction during a meeting of the anti-graft body’s office in Dhaka.

Case background

On September 8 last year, the same court framed charge against Bodi and started the trial on October 6 the same year.

The Anti-Corruption Commission filed the case with Ramna Police Station in the capital on August 21, 2014, accusing the legislator from Cox’s Bazar-4 constituency of amassing wealth illegally and concealing information in his wealth statement.

The property value of Bodi rose to Tk 2.88 crore from Tk 47.78 lakh in five years, according to his wealth statements submitted to the Election Commission in 2008 and 2014.

Five years back, his yearly income was only Tk 2 lakh, which increased to Tk 15 crore in 2014.

Bodi has appeared to be the godfather of Yaba trade. He has been named in the list of Yaba smugglers prepared by the home ministry. His three brothers, brother-in-laws and some other relatives have also been listed as traders of the contraband drugs.

Bodi had been mired into a deep controversy in his previous term as MP for his unruly and violent activities.