Suspended BJP MP Kirti Azad was today summoned as accused by a Delhi court in a criminal defamation complaint filed by an advocate who alleged that derogatory language was used against him by the ex-cricketer in an e-mail to the BCCI ombudsman and others. The advocate claimed that Azad had sent an e-mail to several persons on September 15, in which it was alleged that the complainant used to file false cases to impress Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) officials and others.

Metropolitan Magistrate Abhilash Malhotra sought presence of Azad before the court on May 19 next year, saying prima facie offences under sections 499 (defamation) and 500 (punishment for defamation) of IPC are made out against him.