Dhaka, Jun 28 (bdnews24.com) — A libel suit against the ATN Bangla boss for making 'derogatory remarks' about the Prime Minister was withdrawn on Thursday.

A leader of the ruling Awami League's youth front (Juba League) had filed the lawsuit against Mahfuzur Rahman for commenting on Sheikh Hasina, where he said, in a derogatory manner, that she was too 'talkative' and thus often made 'mistakes'.

Emdadul Haque, the plaintiff, told a Dhaka magistrate that he had been taken ill and would not be able to continue to the case and thus appealed for withdrawal.

Metropolitan Magistrate Erfan Ullah accepted the application.

"The plaintiff submitted a petition for withdrawl of the case as he will not be able to run it," the Juba League leader's lawyer Yunus Ali Biswas told bdnews24.com

Clarifying queries whether there were other reasons for withdrawing the suit, Biswas said there was no "other reason that forced him to do so".

The ATN chief had commented on a wide range of issues during his visit to London last month.

On May 30, he also said the slain couple, Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi, was a victim of an 'extramarital affair'. He also went on to remark on the their gruesome death in detail that has hitherto not been made public.

Rahman drew flak from different quarters, including journalists, who demanded his arrest for the offensive remarks.

The social networking websites were flooded with footage of his speech after another private TV channel, Ekushey Television, ran a report on Monday.

The footage showed Rahman calling the Prime Minister 'talkative' recalling her comment that "it was not possible for the government to guard every bedroom".

"I am a leader of Juba League's metropolitcan unit. Mahfuzur Rahman's remarks were not only an insult to Awami League President Sheikh Hasina, but I have also taken offcence," Emdad told bdnews24.com on Wednesday after filing the case.

A similar libel suit was filed in Comilla district against the ATN chief on Wednesday.

Golam Mostafa Sharif, Joint General Secretary of Comilla Victoria College unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League, the ruling party's student wing, filed the case with the Comilla Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court.

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