The question is, were the demolitions justified? Was there proper consultations done? Were there approvals for the demolitions to happen in the first place by the authorised institution? If so, they shouldn't have been stopped - president or no president. Infact, if the president gives you a job out of his confidence in your judgement, then he should let you solve the problems in your docket. I would believe, if there were consultations with the right authorities, the stake holders etc etc, then, the decision that was reached on phone, would have been reached before the demolitions started. If a decision could not be reached, then it was not going to be reached, a phone call or not.... and demolition decision would have been final.... my thinking.