MP Bodi files appeal against his conviction

Bodi filed the appeal with a High Court bench on Thursday, his lawyer Nasrin Siddika Leena told journalists on Tuesday. The move comes after a Dhaka court sentenced the lawmaker of Cox’s Bazar-4 constituency to three years in jail on November 2, in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission. The property value of Bodi rose to Tk2.88 crore from Tk47.78 lakh in only five years, according to his wealth statements submitted to the EC in 2008 and 2014. Five years ago, his yearly income was only Tk2 lakh, which increased to Tk15 crore in 2014. The charges were pressed against him on May 13 last year and Bodi was indicted four months later. A total of 13 prosecution witnesses including ACC Deputy Director Manjur Morshad, also the investigation officer of the case, gave depositions before the court. Bodi had at least 23 cases filed against him at different times. All the charges against him, except for in two or three cases, were withdrawn by the home ministry’s committee that deals with the “politically motivated cases”. He has no position in the local or central Awami League units.