India, May 12 -- The Bombay High Court has rapped the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for demolishing a building in Malad West in an "extremely high-handed manner", without following the due process outlined in its own circular. The court on May 7 sought an explanation from the BMC about the "shocking" breach, and warned that it would direct restoration of the demolished premises and penalty for concerned officers if the explanation was found unsatisfactory.

"Corporation cannot take law into its own hands, deny the principles of natural justice, deny complying with guidelines issued in its own circular and then not be answerable to anybody. Corporation is answerable to this court," the single judge bench of justice Milind Jadhav...