The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

BNP leader Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury and Awami League joint secretary Obaidul Kader were released on bail from jail yesterday.

Jail sources said SQ Chowdhury was released from Kashimpur Jail in Gazipur at about 11:45am, while his wife and son received him at the jail gate.

Chowdhury, who was arrested by the joint forces on February 04, 2007, got bail in all the six cases filed against him on charges of extortion and acquiring illegal wealth.

The Anticorruption Commission filed case against him on charges of acquiring illegal assets worth Tk 9.46 crore and concealing of information on assets worth Tk 91 lakh in his wealth statement.

Obaidul Kader, who faces six cases including one for acquiring illegal assets and breach of emergency powers rules, was released from prison cell of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital at 12:15pm.

Kader, who was arrested on March 9, 2007 on charges of income tax evasion, bribery and concealing of information on illegally acquired assets, was admitted into the hospital for urgent medical treatment.

Despite release Obaidul Kader has stayed back in the BSMU for treatment. It may be mentioned that the BNP senior joint secretary general Tarique Rahman is also receiving treatment in BSMU after release on bail from different cases.

A political analyst told this correspondent that it could be a simple coincident, or it might be a subtle incident of striking a balance between the two competing largest parties in the country who never like to lag behind each other.

Meanwhile, encouraged by the changing situation BNP leader and former Minister Abdullah Al Noman and BNP leader Syed Wahidul Alam have returned from foreign hidings and were granted bail by the court.

Awami League leader and recently elected Sylhet City Corporation Mayor Badruddin Ahmed Kamran has also been released on bail.

Informed circles say that BNP leaders and former ministers M Morshed Khan and Amir Khasru Mahmood Chowdhury will also return to Bangladesh from foreign hidings with the hope that they shall also get the similar privilege which has been awarded to others.

Observers opine that the spurt of bailment and the government's apparent change of attitude shall encourage others to return home and pray for bail from law courts.

After the release, SQ Chowdhury told the journalist that it is a "normal matter" for a politician to go to the jail.

He mentioned that while he (SQ Chowdhury) was sent to the jail, the price of per kg rice was Tk 16 but now the price is Tk 40.

He also demanded unconditional release of Begum Khaleda Zia, BNP chairperson and former prime minister.

Recently many political leaders, who were detained during the anti-corruption drive taken the by the caretaker government after 1/11 political changeover on various corruption charges, have been released on parole, executive order or bail.