Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will once again skip the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) summons, marking the sixth time he has failed to appear for questioning in connection with the Delhi excise policy case. The AAP has reiterated its stance, declaring the summons as “illegal” and asserting that the matter is now before the court.

In a statement released today, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) emphasised that the ED had approached the court itself. The party suggested that instead of repeatedly issuing summonses, the ED should await the court’s decision on the validity of the matter.

The ongoing legal battle between Mr Kejriwal and the ED has escalated, with the probe agency persistently summoning the Delhi Chief Minister, who has consistently refused to comply. The sixth summons comes in the wake of a Delhi court’s directive to Arvind Kejriwal to appear and explain his non-compliance with the previous summons.

Mr Kejriwal’s refusal to appear before the ED raises the possibility of him becoming the first sitting chief minister to face arrest.

The ED, investigating money laundering charges, has been probing allegations related to the Delhi liquor excise policy. The case revolves around accusations that the AAP government’s revamped alcohol sales policy allowed it to receive kickbacks from cartels, allegedly funneled into funding election expenses in various states, including Goa.

While Mr Kejriwal has not been named as an accused in the case, two senior AAP members, including ex-Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, have faced arrests.

The AAP vehemently denies all charges, asserting that the BJP is manipulating investigative agencies to target the party.

In a major intervention in the case linked to the alleged atrocities against villagers in Sandeshkhali, the Supreme Court has paused a Parliament Committee proceedings against top officers of the West Bengal government.

The court has issued notices to the Lok Sabha Secretariat, West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar, and the Union Home Ministry, and sought their responses within four weeks.

The Privileges Committee of the Parliament had ordered the Chief Secretary of West Bengal, the state Director General of Police and the local District Magistrate, Superintendent of Police and the police station in-charge to appear before it on Monday.

The notice was issued after Mr Majumdar, an MP from Balurghat, was injured during a clash with cops when a party delegation visited the remote island.

The case surrounds a Trinamool leader and local strongman Sheikh Sahajan, who and his aides have been accused of systematically exploiting the villagers and multiple counts of sexual assault. Two of his henchmen – Uttam Sardar and Shibu Prasad Hazra – have been arrested, but Shahjahan is still on the run.

Governor CV Ananda Bose, who has visited Sandeshkhali, said that “women in numbers” have told him they were harassed and intimidated, and that he has forwarded their written complaints to the state government.

“Women in numbers met me and told me about their grievance. They said they were molested, harassed and intimidated, their husbands were beaten up,” Mr Bose told NDTV.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the BJP of making a “mountain out of a molehill”. “Instead of peace, they are starting fires,” she has claimed.

The National Commission for Scheduled Castes, which visited Sandeshkhali last week, had recommended President’s Rule in the state amid violence and political tension.

Bade Miyan Chote Miyan is one of the most anticipated films of the year. Starring Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff, the film is an action thriller. Ahead of its release, the title track has been unveiled.

Filmed in Jerash, Abu Dhabi and against the backdrop of the Roman theatre, the song spotlights Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff’s camaraderie. Watch the music video here:

With lyrics like “Tere piche tera yaar khada,” the song is all about the unbreakable bond between the film’s lead characters.

Opening up about the making of the track, producer Jackky Bhagnani said, “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan is a visual spectacle that will enthral the masses and the youth. Vishal Mishra has added a unique sound that is fresh and builds on the premise of Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff dancing to a foot-tapping number. We wanted to create something cool that everyone will enjoy watching on the big screen. This is popcorn entertainment at its best. The hook line of the song ‘Tere piche tera yaar khada’ is undeniably one of the catchiest melodies, leaving a lasting impression on music lovers.”

Bade Miyan Chote Miyan will release on Eid, April 2024.