Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and two other AAP leaders including Deputy CM Manish Sisodia were Tuesday directed by a court in New Delhi to appear before it later in the day in connection with a criminal defamation complaint, saying there was no ground for exemption from their appearance.

Metropolitan Magistrate Mayuri Singh took strong view of absence of Kejriwal, Sisodia and Yogendra Yadav, and said they “have no respect for the law”.

The three AAP leaders have, however, sought exemption from personal appearance for the day on the ground that the lawyers are on strike and the case was at a crucial stage and the presence of advocates was necessary.