Bombay High Court on Saturday asked the Enforcement Directorate why it never arrested the main accused in the Patra Chawl redevelopment project case while seeking cancellation of the bail granted to Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut.

Sanjay Raut and co-accused Pravin Raut were granted bail by a special court in money-laundering cases on November 9, 2022, more than 100 days after they were arrested.

The ED moved the high court against the bail the same day and sought an interim stay, but the court refused to pass any interim order.

On Saturday, Justice N.R. Borkar held a special sitting to hear the ED’s plea.

The judge asked why the central agency had not arrested Sarang and Rakesh Wadhawan, promoters of the Housing Development and Infrastructure Ltd, who have been named as the main accused.

When additional solicitor-general Anil Singh, appearing for the ED, was reading out the charges against Sarang and Rakesh Wadhawan, the court asked if the ED had arrested the duo. Singh said it had not as they were already in judicial custody in another case, but the agency had recorded their statements.

“They are the main accused... there are allegations of money laundering against them…. If they are released on bail in scheduled offence, then what happens? Common allegations are there,” the court said.

The hearing will continue on March 2.