The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has identified 42 individuals in connection with the white stone theft in Bholaganj, Companyganj, Sylhet.
The list includes leaders from Sylhet city’s BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, the National Citizens’ Party (NCP), and some banned Awami League affiliates.
The ACC’s enforcement team conducted raids and investigations to determine their involvement. Verification of several other names is still ongoing.
The ACC has also found evidence of negligence by officials from the Bureau of Mineral Development, local administration, police, and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
Sources say approximately 1 million cubic feet of stone was stolen from Bholaganj recently, of which around 250,000 cubic feet of valuable white stone were recovered.
Over the past year, nearly 4 million cubic feet of white and other stones were reportedly stolen. The theft was detected on August 10, and ACC carried out a field operation on August 13.
Among those identified, 20 are from BNP, 7 from Awami League, 2 each from Jamaat and NCP, and 11 are local individuals.
Key accused from BNP include Acting President of Sylhet City BNP Rezaul Hasan Qoyes Lodi, General Secretary Imdad Hossain Chowdhury, Companyganj Upazila BNP President Sahab Uddin, members Haji Kamal, former Upazila Jubo Dal Organizational Secretary Sajjad Hossain (Dudu), Sylhet District Jubo Dal Joint Secretary Rubel Ahmed Bahar, other local BNP and Jubo Dal leaders, and the former office secretary Dulal Mia (Dula).
Awami League members identified as Bilal Mia, Shahabuddin, Gias Uddin, Companyganj AL Vice President Abdul Odud Alfu, and members Monir Mia, Habil Mia, and Saidur Rahman.
Jamaat leaders are Sylhet City Jamaat Amir Md. Fakhrul Islam and Secretary Zainal Abedin.
NCP leaders are Sylhet District Chief Coordinator Nazim Uddin and City Chief Coordinator Abu Sadek Mohammad Khairul Islam Chowdhury.
The ACC enforcement team reported that illegal stone extraction has caused significant damage to natural resources, with negligence noted among local administration, police, and BGB officials. The report will be submitted to the commission for necessary legal action.
Responding to the accusations, BNP leader Qoyes Lodi denied involvement, calling the allegations a “conspiracy to cover up the real culprits.” Similarly, Jamaat leader Fakhrul Islam rejected the claims, describing them as “conspiratorial propaganda.”
ACC Director General and spokesperson Md. Akhtar Hossain stated, “Our enforcement team will submit the report on the large-scale damage to natural resources caused by illegal stone extraction. The commission will take legal action based on the findings.”
