Release of Tarique Rahman on bail

TARIQUE Rahman's situation has been hogging media attention for some days now. In the beginning it was his health and subsequently it was the issue of his bail that became the subject of intense speculation. There was a judicial ruling for his release on bail for purposes of treatment abroad. For whatever it is worth, the fact remains that Tarique Rahman has been a man shrouded in controversy ever since he joined politics. His behind the scenes role in the last government led by his mother and his not so behind the scenes role through Hawa Bhaban earned him unhealthy notoriety over the past few years.
As one of the key figures of the last regime, his arrest came as no surprise to the nation. His name became associated with corruption, especially along with that of some of his cronies. With his release on bail yesterday, an unhappy chapter of his life -- that of being in prison -- comes to a respite for the moment. His cases remain and will naturally, so goes the public expectation, follow the course of the law. The fact of the matter is that Tarique Rahman was in custody for a long period of eighteen months. There can be little question that such a length of time is good enough for investigations of any worth to be launched and concluded in substantive fashion. By that measure or standard, all the investigations into the cases as well as a prosecution of the cases against Tarique Rahman should have ended on their own merit by now.
There are speculations as to his immediate plans. It is rumoured that he will go abroad for treatment and stay away from the country for a while. It is widely rumoured that some behind the scenes maneuvering may have gone into Tarique Rahman's release. What the alleged deal has been is something we do not know. We do realise, though, that such maneouvres can blight the credibility of the legal process and there will be others all too ready and willing to take advantage of such a course. We firmly believe, though, that such things will not come to pass. In the interest of rule of law and the future of democracy, it will remain the hope of the nation that the line between politics and due process of law will not be blurred.
There are those who feel that the much publicised anti-corruption drive of the government is losing ground. We fervently hope not. We continue to hold the belief that a dispensation of justice and a return to democratic governance will soon turn into tangible realities for this nation.