The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has identified 42 people linked to large-scale stone looting from the popular Sada Pathar tourist zone in Sylhet’s Companiganj. The list includes 20 leaders from the BNP, seven from the Awami League, and two each from Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP). The ACC report also flagged evidence of negligence on the part of the Bureau of Mineral Development, the local administration, police, and members of the Border Guard Bangladesh. It estimates that stones worth several hundred crore taka were illegally extracted from the Sada Pathar area in Bholaganj, a border-adjacent region known for its unique white stone deposits. Since evidence of stone theft has been found, further investigation has been recommended, which has been placed for the commission’s decision.”

Source: bd News24 August 20, 2025 21:04 UTC