A magistrate court here yesterday sentenced seven and a half years' imprisonment to former BNP lawmaker Manjurul Ahsan Munshi for violating code of electoral conduct during the polling on December 29.
Judicial magistrate Md Zahir Uddin also fined Munshi Tk 35,000, in default of which he will have to serve another one and a half years more in jail.
Following the allegation brought against him by Devidwar thana office-in-charge (OC) Zahedul Islam, the electoral court pronounced the verdict after recording depositions of nine witnesses.
Munshi was arrested from Mohammadpur centre on December 29, the election day,
for trespassing into different polling centres for “beating and threatening” rival party supporters. There were also some other charges against him.
After the arrest, the ex-BNP lawmaker was sent to BIRDEM Hospital as he fell sick and unconscious on way to Comilla. So, the trial was completed in his absentia as per strict electoral rules framed by the interim regime.
Munshi, his wife and brother are accused in several cases including extortion, tax evasion and other criminal cases.
On October 9, 2007, a special court in Dhaka sentenced Munshi to 13 years' imprisonment for acquiring wealth illegally and concealing information on wealth.
The court, however, acquitted Munshi's wife Mazeda Ahsan Munshi and their absconding sons barrister Rizviul Ahsan Munshi and Rizwanul Ahsan Munshi of all the charges against them as those were not proved.
Earlier on November 30 last year, Manjurul Ahsan Munshi was released on a High Court bail from the Dhaka Central Jail.