India, Nov. 5 -- Hours after the Supreme Court initiated contempt proceedings against Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) commissioner Ashwini Bhide and ordered a freeze on her November salary over the civic body's failure to clear encroachments from a plot reserved for a bus station in Borivali, the civic administration launched a swift demolition drive beginning 8 am on Wednesday.

The BMC demolished 27 commercial shops occupying the 3,400-sq-metre plot on Swami Vivekanand Road in Borivali East, according to a statement from the civic body. The plot is reserved for a Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) bus station under the Town Planning Scheme II.

The action follows a strong reprimand by a three-judge Supreme Court ...