India, June 3 -- The Malvani police have booked businessman Ashok Hotchand Asija and his wife Menka Ashok Asija for alleged illegal construction within the 50-metre buffer zone around mangroves in Erangal, Malad West, in violation of environmental regulations.

A first information report (FIR) against the couple was registered on May 27 under sections 15(1) and 15(2) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, following a complaint filed by the Borivali tehsildar's office.

According to the FIR, a joint inspection by officials from the Gorai forest range and the revenue department conducted on February 6 found four bungalows, including one named 'Poonawala Bungalow', and a swimming pool, on land bearing survey number 21/1/A in Erangal vill...