A Rangpur court yesterday set January 10 for framing charges against barrister Mainul Hosein in a case filed under the Digital Security Act for defaming journalist Masuda Bhatti.

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Arifa Yasmin Mukta pronounced the date during a hearing, in absence of Mainul.

Public Prosecutor Abdul Maleque said no lawyer appeared on behalf of Mainul yesterday.

Earlier on October 22, the same court directed the police to arrest Mainul as Milimaya, a local human rights activist, filed a defamation case against him. He was arrested the same night.

On October 16, Mainul called journalist Masuda Bhatti a person of loose moral during a live talk show at a private television channel. Mainul is now kept at Rangpur jail.

Police brought Mainul to Rangpur by road from Dhaka, where he was arrested, on November 3.

He was produced before the court next day but his bail prayer was rejected due to the plaintiff's absence.