Many residents, requesting anonymity, said that the trees posed as hurdle to the Ganesh Housing Coop Society building. As Badiger is one of the office bearers of the society, the trees were cut with his support, they alleged.

G D Alavandi, a retired executive engineer, told STOI that the trees, which included one neem and one peepal, were found cut on Saturday morning. "These trees were providing shade to people in the daytime. They also served as relaxation shelters for morning walkers in the garden. We were stunned to see them on the ground in the morning. We are clueless about the incident," he said.

SrinivasmurthyKorlahalli, an agriculture expert and resident, said that garden is maintained by the society and trees cannot be cut without its notice.

"Even forest officials are also involved in this act. Big logs were transported in the (previous) evening itself. Only small branches were seen in the morning. A thorough inquiry should be conducted over this incident," he demanded.

When contacted, Ujinappa, assistant conservator of forest, Hubballi, expressed regret over the incident.

"As we had not permitted anyone to cut these trees, we have asked our range forest officer to submit a report on the same. We will initiate action against the culprits after receiving the report," he said.