Mainul gets HC bail in 15 defamation cases

The High Court on Sunday granted six months bail to Barrister Mainul Hosein in 15 defamation cases.

The HC bench of Justice Md Rezaul Haque and Justice Zafar Ahmed passed the order after hearing separate bail petitions.

Advocate Khandker Mahbub Hossain, counsel for Barrister Mainul, said some 23 cases -- one under the Digital Security Act and 22 defamation cases -- were filed against Barrister Mainul for defaming journalist Masuda Bhatti in a television talk-show.

The defamation cases were filed in Kishoreganj, Bhola, Rangpur, Kurigram, Cox's Bazar, Magura, Narail, Chattogram, Jashore, Rajshahi, Netrakona, Jhenaidah, Rajbari and Brahmanbaria districts, reports UNB.

Mainul who was connected to a talk-show 'Ekattor Journal' through videoconferencing aired on Ekattor TV hosted by MithilaFarzana, made an 'offensive comment' against Masuda Bhatti on October 16.

During the talk-show, Masuda Bhatti asked Mainul, "You say that you're in the JatiyaOikyafront as a citizen of the country but in social networking sites, many people are saying that you are there as a representative of Jamaat."

Angered with the comment, Mainul said, "I'm thanking you for your audacity and I want to believe you as 'characterless'. There's no question about Jamaat link's with me and what question you have asked is embarrassing for me."