Why are criminals being released?

The recent release of infamous criminal Bikash from Kashimpur Jail has raised serious public concerns. The manner of his setting free, reportedly, under special protection in presence of some senior police officials, further adds to the deep misgivings.
It is worthwhile to note that all the procedures of releasing the criminal from the jail, who had some 15 cases against him, were completed within a matter of only 45 minutes. And that too on a weekend day when the court remains closed -- a feat that was "not possible for jail authorities'', a Supreme Court lawyer pointed out, unless some powerful hands lent active help.
It is baffling to note how this notorious criminal could get the bails in all those 15 cases against him lying with the police stations? So, would we be wrong or unfair to raise the question whether or not the administration had a role in getting him released?
And now that both the home secretary and the home minister have tried to unconvincingly assure us that due process of law has been followed in freeing Bikash from jail, what still eludes common sense is why on earth a criminal facing charges of murder and extortion should receive this enthusiastic attention from the administration?
One wonders why the process of law has not been equally expeditious in bringing Biswajit's killers to justice.
What is further upsetting is is that criminals have been freed from other jails as in last November some 11 terrorists were released from Chittagong jail.
It may be recalled that home minister on November 14 told the Jatiya Sangsad that the President granted clemency to 21 convicted offenders among whom 20 were on death row during the last three years. Among them was Biplob, the killer of Advocate Nurul Islam, whom the president had pardoned in July 2011 while in late 2010 he granted clemency to 20 convicted in the murder of opposition Jubo Dal leader Sabbir Ahmed Gama.
With all our respect for the president's prerogatives, we cannot but share public anxiety over the president's showing mercy to so many killers with supposed political link.
We are deeply concerned about this phenomenon of releasing these criminal elements from jail. Could there be a link with the prospect of steep rise in political violence? Is there an attempt to use well-known criminals to do the dirty work while the government is now facing rising public criticism for doing it through its cadres?
For the sake of democracy we sincerely hope not.