The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) maintenance department on Tuesday partially demolished the Vidyavihar gaothan home of 87-year-old Catherine Dominic Gomes, even though her family had sought permission to carry out repair works instead of surrendering the entire structure for demolition.

“I watched from my kitchen as the civic workers demolished portions of the structure, including the balcony and shed, and installed support columns and iron pillars to stabilise the remaining section,” said Gomes.