Photo: BSS

DHAKA, Aug 14, 2025 (BSS) - The High Court (HC) today directed the authorities concerned to retrieve all looted stones from the Bholaganj area in Companiganj upazila of Sylhet and return them to their original location within seven days, with support from the Sylhet district administration and law enforcement agencies.

A High Court division bench comprising Justice Kazi Zinat Hoque and Justice Aynun Nahar Siddiqua passed the order after hearing a writ petition filed by rights group Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB).

Senior advocate Manzill Murshid moved the petition on behalf of HRPB.

The court also ordered the formation of a high-powered committee, including a professor from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), to assess the environmental damage caused to the Bholaganj tourist spot and submit its report to the court.

Additionally, the local administration has been directed to provide a list of individuals responsible for the looting and to establish a monitoring team within 48 hours to prevent further removal of stones from the area.