Dhaka: The Appellate Division on Thursday upheld a High Court order that had granted bail to Barrister Mainul Hosein in 14 defamation cases filed for making ‘offensive comment’ against journalist Masuda Bhatti.

Chamber Judge of Md Nuruzzaman passed ‘No Order’ after hearing on an appeal of the state seeking stay on the bail of Barrister Mainul, reports the UNB.

Advocate Khandker Mahbub Hossain, counsel for Barrister Mainul, said with this order his client will get bail in cases filed in Sherpur, Kurigram, Bhola, Jhinaidah, Brahmanbaria, Kishoreganj, Cox’s Bazar, Magura, Narail, Chattogram, Jashore and Netrakona districts.

Now, there will be no bar on his release, he said.

Earlier on January 13,the High Court granted six months bail to Barrister Mainul Hosein in 14 defamation cases.

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.

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.’