Govt launches e-bail bond system in 8 districts

The government today (21 January) launched an electronic bail bond or e-bail bond management system in eight districts of the country, aiming to make the bail bond submission process easier.

Law Adviser Asif Nazrul inaugurated the programme virtually from the Secretariat.

The new system has been introduced simultaneously in Manikganj, Bandarban, Meherpur, Joypurhat, Moulvibazar, Panchagarh, Jhalakathi and Sherpur following the successful pilot implementation in Narayanganj.

The Adviser said the e-bail bond system was first launched on a trial basis in Narayanganj on 15 October last year and has been operating with cent percent success.

"Based on this success, we have further improved the software. Today, the e-bail bond system has been launched in eight more districts," he said.

He said the new system will save time and costs for litigants, lawyers, prison authorities, and all other stakeholders involved in the bail process.

Before the introduction of e-bail bonds, people had to go through multiple steps, even after bail was granted, the adviser said.

"As a result, litigants had to endure unnecessary loss of time, money, and mental distress. In many cases, people had to remain in jail for several days or even weeks despite being granted bail. There was a lack of transparency and accountability, and it was not possible to identify where delays were occurring," he said.

Dr Asif Nazrul said the government plans to introduce the system in all 64 districts.

"We still have 20 to 25 days. We will try to launch it in a few more districts during this time. We hope that within the next six months, the system will be operational in all districts," he added.

Responding to a question on whether future governments would continue the initiative, the adviser said he believes the system will be maintained as it does not involve any political controversy.