Azhagiri appears before court in AP

Chittoor, Feb 11 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's elder son M K Azhagiri, the main accused in the case relating to the murder of senior DMK partyman and former minister T Kiruttinan in 2003, appeared before a lower court today.

Out of 13 accused in the case, one Mr Siva did not appear before the court, following which the First Additional District Sessions Judge P Durgaprasad issued a non-bilable warrant for him.

The judge then adjourned the hearing to February 25 without hearing any arguments after Mr Azhagiri, along with 11 other accused, appeared before the court, amidst tight security.

This was the fourth time Mr Azhagiri had appeared before the court after the case was transferred to Chittoor District, following a Supreme Court direction on a petition filed by one of the witnesses, who had submitted that a free and fair trial would not be possible if the case is heard in Tamil Nadu as the accused owed allegience to the ruling DMK.

Mr Kiruttinan was murdered near his residence in Madurai city on May 20, 2003 while he was taking his morning walk.

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