Published : 17 Sep 2026, 01:45 PM
Updated : 17 Sep 2026, 01:45 PM
The online bail bond system has significantly reduced the time and hassle involved in securing the release of bailed-out suspects, lawyers and court officials say, while some technical and data-entry problems remain.
The system helped Saidul Islam, who was being held at Nilphamari District Jail after being arrested in a drug case filed with Fatullah Police Station in Narayanganj, secure his release within two days of being granted bail.
A Narayanganj magistrate's court granted him bail on Aug 10.
His lawyer Adnan Molla submitted the bail bond online at 12:30pm that day.
The documents reached the Narayanganj District Jail server within three hours and were then sent electronically to Nilphamari District Jail. Saidul was released on the morning of Aug 12.
Under the previous system, Molla said, sending bail documents to another district and securing the suspect's release could take five to seven days.
The e-Bail Bond system was first introduced in Narayanganj in October 2025 and has since been expanded in phases.
On Aug 13, 2026, the government extended the service to 12 more districts, taking the total number of districts covered to 28.
The initiative aims to speed up judicial proceedings and reduce the suffering and harassment of litigants.
Lawyers and justice seekers say the online process has reduced wasted time, while SMS notifications also provide information on an accused person's release.
District and Sessions Judge Court administrative officer Mahmuda Khatun said court staff previously had to carry bail documents to jails by hand.
The online system has reduced both time and labour, as well as harassment, she said.
Officials also say the digital process has ended unofficial payments previously made to speed up the bureaucratic steps between courts and jails.
However, users have reported problems accessing the server and delays in receiving one-time passwords.
Narayanganj District Bar Association President Sarker Humayun Kabir said lawyers who are less familiar with smartphones and internet services sometimes have to pay computer shops to complete the forms.
Lawyer Rubel Mia said an incorrect name in a case document and a mismatch with a national identity record once delayed a suspect's release by two days.
Molla also said website access and OTP problems sometimes require repeated attempts.
Another lawyer, Jahangir Alam, said the system has reduced harassment despite such problems and called for technical glitches to be addressed.
Narayanganj District Jail Superintendent Abdul Quddus described the system as a major improvement, saying it had reduced people's difficulties and stopped malpractice that previously occurred between the granting of bail and release from jail.
