India, Sept. 27 -- New Delhi

The Delhi High Court on Friday criticised the forest department for denying permission to remove 21 trees needed for the construction of a foot overbridge (FOB) for the Rajputana Rifles, on the ground that the trees were located within a deemed forest.

A bench comprising justices Prathiba M Singh and Manmeet PS Arora directed the range officer of the West Forest Division to be physically present at the next hearing.

The direction came after the Delhi Cantonment Board's counsel informed the court that the forest department, in a letter dated September 12, refused permission for tree removal, citing their location within a deemed forest area.

However, the bench, in its order, said, "The forest department has...