New Delhi, May 11 (IANS): A court here on Monday asked Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and four other AAP leaders to positively appear before it on May 15 in a case of violating prohibitory orders during their protest in January last year.

Metropolitan Magistrate Akash Jain asked Kejriwal, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Aam Padmi Party legislators Rakhi Birla and Somnath Bharti and party leader Ashutosh to positively appear before court at the next date of hearing.

The magistrate's warning came after observing that the accused had also not appeared before court on the last date of hearing.

Advocate Rishikesh Kumar, appearing for the AAP leaders, moved an application seeking exemption from their personal appearance, and assured court that they will present themselves before the court appear on the next date of hearing.

Delhi Police have booked the five AAP leaders for allegedly violating orders prohibiting any gathering of five or more people during demonstration outside Rail Bhavan here. The AAP leaders were demanding action against policemen who refused to raid an alleged drug and prostitution racket in south Delhi in January 2014.

The police charge sheeted the AAP leaders for joining and continuing in an unlawful assembly, rioting, obstructing public servants in discharge of their public function and assault or use of criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging his duty. All the accused are out on bail.