Chittoor (Andhra Pradesh), May 8 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi’s son M K Azhagiri, was acquitted along with 12 others on Thursday, by a sessions court here in a case relating to the murder of a former DMK minister for want of reliable evidence.

Sessions Judge P Durga Prasad in a brief verdict observed that there was no reliable evidence to connect the accused with the murder of former minister T Kiruttinan. The judge said the detailed judgment would be pronounced on Friday.

Azhagiri, along with the other accused, was present in the court when the judgment was delivered amidst tight security.

A large contingent of DMK workers, who were present in the court, raised slogans in support of Azhagiri and Karunanidhi.

The case was shifted from Madurai to Chittoor last year following a Supreme Court directive in response to a petition by two of the relatives of Kiruttinan, saying they would not get a fair trial.

Azhagiri and 12 of his associates were accused of murdering Kiruttinan on May 20, 2003 following a factional feud.

Azhagiri was arrested two days later and lodged in the Tiruchi Central Prison. He was later released on bail. (ANI)