Kochi: Ernakulam Special Court for Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on Friday asked Enforcement Directorate (ED) why Life Mission Case accused Swapna Suresh and Sarith PS were not arrested during the first phase of the probe. 

The development came as the duo appeared before the court following summons. They also filed bail pleas, a common precedent in criminal cases after a charge sheet is filed. The court questioned ED as the agency opposed bail pleas.  

It also asked about the rationale behind the arrest of M Sivasankar, the former bureaucrat accused in the case. ED responded that unlike accused  M Sivasankar, the duo had been cooperatinge during the probe.

The court granted bail to both Swapna and Sarith, imposing certain conditions. It also extended the custodial remand of M Sivasankar till August 5. The matter will be taken again on August 5.     

Earlier, Kerala High Court too had asked ED why Swapna was noted arrested over the case.