PRAYAGRAJ, Oct. 26 -- In a major crackdown on professional bail guarantors, Nagar Kotwali police in Pratapgarh have arrested 11 people for allegedly helping hardened criminals secure bail in cases of murder, robbery, loot and offences under the Gangster Act. A total of 58 such guarantors have been booked, police said, adding that investigations are underway against the remaining accused. Officials said the arrests expose a network of professional sureties operating illegally in the district. In India, courts require personal guarantees from solvent and responsible individuals, usually relatives or friends of the accused, but the use of paid guarantors is against the law. Pratapgarh superintendent of police (SP) Deepak Bhukar said the racket came to light during investigations into absconding criminals, when it was found that several guarantors did not even know whose bail they had signed. Following the findings, Bhangwa Chungi police outpost in-charge Ankit Srivastava registered cases against 25 guarantors, while Civil Lines outpost in-charge Anupam Tripathi booked 35 others at Nagar Kotwali police station. Police said the accused charged between Rs.2,000 and Rs.3,000 to stand surety for repeat offenders. Their photographs, Aadhaar cards and land documents were allegedly kept by a few lawyers who coordinated the process. The role of some advocates is now under scrutiny, SP Bhukar added. Those arrested include Ratnakar Singh, Sikandar Khan, Brijesh Singh, Kunjilal, Indrajeet Singh, Moolchand, Anurag Yadav, Mohammad Shabbir, Jeetlal, Ajab Narayan and Tarachand.htc...