The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday arrested Aam Aadmi Party leader Deepak Singla after carrying out searches at multiple locations in Delhi and Goa in connection with an alleged bank fraud-linked money laundering case.

Singla, who serves as the AAP’s Goa co-incharge, was questioned for several hours before being taken into custody by the agency. Officials said the searches were conducted by the ED’s Delhi Zonal Office-2.

The development comes months before the Goa Assembly elections scheduled next year and has triggered a strong reaction from the AAP leadership.

AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal claimed that Singla was being targeted for political reasons and alleged that he was arrested because he refused to join the BJP.

Reacting to the ED action, Atishi accused the BJP of using central agencies against opposition parties in poll-bound states. She alleged that the raids were aimed at intimidating party workers and accessing the party’s organisational data in Goa.

Senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia also criticised the Centre and alleged misuse of institutions such as the ED and CBI against opposition leaders.

According to reports, this is not the first time Deepak Singla has faced scrutiny from the ED. In 2024, the agency had also conducted searches at his residence in connection with the same alleged money laundering investigation.

The IPL 2026 playoff race has intensified further, with the latest qualification projections showing a clear edge for Sunrisers Hyderabad, while the battle for the final knockout spot remains wide open among multiple contenders.

According to updated playoff probability estimates following recent matches, Sunrisers Hyderabad hold the strongest position among all teams still in contention, with a 75% chance of qualifying for the top four. Their consistent performances have kept them comfortably ahead in the mid-table scramble.

At the same time, the race behind them has become increasingly tight, with several teams separated only by small percentage margins and net run rate factors beginning to play a decisive role.

CSK, RR and PBKS in close fight for fourth spot

The most competitive battle is currently for the fourth playoff position, where three major franchises remain in contention.

Chennai Super Kings are placed at around 35.5% qualification probability, keeping their campaign alive but under pressure after inconsistent results in recent matches.

Close behind them are Rajasthan Royals, who continue to hover in a similar range with nearly identical chances, making every remaining fixture crucial for their campaign.

Meanwhile, Punjab Kings have seen their prospects weaken further, slipping to around 31% despite still being in the playoff mix. Their position in the points table remains vulnerable as they struggle to build momentum in the final stretch of the league stage.

Other contenders and overall standings

Elsewhere, teams like Gujarat Titans continue to maintain a strong hold on qualification scenarios with a high probability of finishing in the top four, despite occasional setbacks.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have already secured qualification status, strengthening their position at the top end of the table.

The mid-table remains highly competitive, while Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders continue to fight mathematically but face tougher paths due to lower probabilities and net run rate challenges.

What the numbers mean going forward

With only a few league matches remaining, the playoff cutoff is expected to settle around the 16-point mark, making every remaining fixture critical. Net run rate is also likely to become a key deciding factor if multiple teams finish on similar points.

Sunrisers Hyderabad remain in the strongest position, while the battle between Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings is expected to go down to the final set of league matches.

The Delhi government has announced collateral-free loans of up to Rs 10 crore for women-led startups and self-help groups (SHGs), with the government set to act as guarantor for eligible applicants. The announcement was made by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta during the inauguration of a two-day Mega SHG Mela in Rohini.

The initiative is aimed at helping women entrepreneurs and small home-run businesses that often face difficulties in securing institutional credit due to the lack of collateral or financial guarantees.

According to the Chief Minister, the Delhi government itself will stand as guarantor for the loans extended to women-led startups and SHGs.

The announcement was made at the Mega SHG Mela organised near Rohini West Metro Station in northwest Delhi, where around 24 self-help groups showcased products including handicrafts, khadi items, crochet work, food products and household goods.

Focus on women entrepreneurship

The scheme is expected to benefit women entrepreneurs operating small businesses in sectors such as tailoring, handicrafts, beauty services, food processing and retail ventures. Many such businesses rely heavily on personal savings or informal borrowing because access to formal bank credit remains limited.

The Delhi government also said it plans to create dedicated retail opportunities for locally made products in malls and major shopping complexes across the capital to improve market access for women-led businesses.

During the event, Rekha Gupta highlighted initiatives such as “Vocal for Local” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat,” encouraging the promotion of indigenous products and local manufacturing.