CHITTAGONG: Prisoners are being released randomly from the jail on bail here ahead of the Eid-ul-Fitr festival, according to official figures.

Earlier, 50 to 70 inmates used to be freed per day, but, in the last one week, 120 to 150 inmates came out per day on bail, said a competent source.

As a result, the jail authorities have to pass busy time dealing with redoubled bail orders.  Prison authorities said 130 inmates were freed from jail on September 5, 150 on September 6 and 180 Tuesday.

Jailor of Chittagong Central Jail Rafiqul Qader told banglanews24.com.bd that the freed jailbirds were mostly accused of minor crimes like theft, snatching, etc.   

He said that the accused of arms and robbery cases were also freed from the jail as they secured bail from the court.   

Advocate Rana Dasgupta said, "Generally, court considers in granting bail the weight of crime, condition of cases, how long the convicts stayed in jail.

"The court grants bail to convicts on humanitarian grounds before Eid and Puja."  Prison officials of Chittagong jail said in general, every morning 20/30 inmates and in the

afternoon 30/40 are freed from jail. But, from the very beginning of the last week, the number of accused freed from the jail went up to more than 100 per day.

The number is on the rise, as Eid day is coming nearer and this trend would continue up to the day before Eid-ul-Fitr, likely on September 11.

BDST: 1425 HRS, SEPT 7, 2010