Azhagiri, 12 others acquitted in Kiruttinan murder case

Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh, May 8 (UNI) The District Sessions Court here today acquitted M K Azhagiri, son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi and 12 others, including Maduri Mayor P M Mannan, in the Tha Kuruttinan murder case.

Sessions Judge P Durga Prasad in his judgement observed that there was no reliable evidence against the accused and the prosecution had failed to prove the case. A detailed judgement on the case would be made in two days, he added.

Mr Azhagiri, a key accused in the case, along with other accused, was present in the court when the judgement was delivered this evening, amid tight security.

The court was packed with mediapersons, besides Azhagiri's daughter, son-in-law and his son, Kalainar TV channel officials and a large number of DMK workers and followers of Mr Azhagri.

Talking to newspersons here, Mr Azhagiri alleged that the case was foisted against him by the then AIADMK Government to defame the DMK's image, as the party's popularity was growing in South Tamil Nadu.

A larger number of DMK supporters and followers of Mr Azhagiri, who gathered at the court premises, raised slogans in support of their leader and bursted fire crackers to celebrate the victory.

They also felicitated him with shawls and distributed sweets.

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