The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has identified 42 individuals, including leaders of BNP, Awami League, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the National Citizen’s Party (NCP), in connection with the Sada Pathor stone looting at Bholaganj in Companiganj upazila of Sylhet.

The ACC Enforcement Team’s report stated that illegal stone extraction has caused massive damage to natural resources. It also pointed out negligence by local administration, police, and BGB members.

ACC Director General and Spokesperson Md Akhter Hossain said, “The Enforcement Team will soon submit its report to the Commission over the massive damage to natural resources caused by stone extraction. Based on that, the Commission will take the next legal steps.”

According to sources, around 10 lakh cubic feet of stones were recently stolen from Bholaganj. Of these, nearly 2.5 lakh cubic feet of highly valuable white stones were later recovered. In the past year alone, about 40 lakh cubic feet of Sada Pathor and other stones have been stolen. The white stone theft came to light on August 10, after which the ACC carried out a drive in Bholaganj on August 13.

The ACC probe identified 42 local individuals linked to the theft — 20 from BNP, 7 from Awami League, 2 each from Jamaat and NCP, and 11 others from the locality.

The 20 BNP leaders and activists named are: Sylhet Metropolitan BNP’s Acting President Rezaul Hasan Kayes Lodi, General Secretary Imdad Hossain Chowdhury, Companiganj Upazila BNP President Shahab Uddin, member Haji Kamal, former Companiganj Upazila Labour Party president and former vice chairman Lal Mia, Companiganj Upazila Jubo Dal Organising Secretary Sajjad Hossain alias Dudu, Sylhet District Jubo Dal Joint Secretary Rubel Ahmed Bahar, Assistant Organising Secretary Mustakin Ahmed Farhad, Companiganj Upazila BNP Office Secretary Md Dulal Mia alias Dula, Joint Convenor Razon Mia, Jubo Dal leaders Jasim Uddin and Sazon Mia, BNP worker Zakir Hossain, members Mozzafar Ali and Manik Mia, Sylhet District Jubo Dal General Secretary Mohammad Maksud Ahmed, Joint General Secretary Rafiqul Islam alias Shahporan, expelled Treasurer Shah Alam alias Swapan, Organising Secretary Abul Kashem, and Purba Jaflong Union BNP President Amzad Box.

The seven Awami League leaders and activists are: Sylhet District Awami League workers Billal Mia, Shahabuddin and Gias Uddin, Companiganj AL Vice President Abdul Wadud Alfu, and workers Monir Mia, Habil Mia and Saidur Rahman.

The two Jamaat leaders are: Sylhet Metropolitan Jamaat Amir Md Fakhrul Islam and Secretary Zainal Abedin.

The two NCP leaders are: Sylhet District NCP Chief Coordinator Nazim Uddin, and Metropolitan Chief Coordinator Abu Sadeq Mohammad Khairul Islam Chowdhury.

BNP leader Kayes Lodi rejected the allegation, saying, “I have been falsely implicated to cover up the real looters. This false propaganda is a conspiracy to shield the actual culprits.”

Similarly, Jamaat leader Fakhrul Islam denied the charges, saying, “Dragging my name into the stone loot is a conspiratorial smear campaign.”