LUCKNOW, April 10 -- A worrying trend is surfacing across Uttar Pradesh where several high-profile gangsters have secured release after long spells behind bars, allegedly aided by forged surety documents, procedural lapses, disputed releases and strategic legal manoeuvring.

The recent cases involving Udham Singh Karnawal, Ravi Kana and Sundar Bhaati have intensified concerns among law enforcement and judicial circles over how hardened criminal networks may be exploiting loopholes in the bail and prison-release system.

Udham Singh's archrival Yogesh Bhadauria also walked out of Siddharthnagar jail nearly a month ago, while police sources said the current locations and hideouts of both gang leaders remain untraceable. On April 1, Udham Si...