The BNP has suspended Shahab Uddin, president of the BNP’s Companyganj upazila unit in Sylhet, following allegations of stone looting in the Sada Pathor area. The party announced this in a letter signed by Senior Joint Secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Monday night (August 11).

The letter states that Shahab Uddin’s party positions have been suspended due to his involvement in unethical activities. Haji Abdul Mannan, the upazila BNP vice president, will serve as the acting president.

Sources say the government owns at least 275 acres of open land near the Bholaganj quarry. Around 2001, several local influential figures took control of this land, with Shahab Uddin acquiring over half of it. Because of the quarry’s proximity, the land grabbers rented these sites to stone crushing machine owners. Even during the previous authoritarian government, Shahab Uddin colluded with Awami League leaders to illegally occupy government land and lease it out. Two years ago, near the end of that government’s term, authorities cleared these lands through eviction drives. However, following August 5, 2024, allegations arose that Shahab Uddin reoccupied about 150 acres of government land in Bholaganj’s Site No. 10 area of Companyganj upazila. He is reportedly collecting millions of BDT in rent from there. The party took notice after the issue surfaced in the media.

Sylhet district BNP president Abdul Kaiyum Chowdhury said a three-member investigation committee was formed to look into the allegations against Shahab Uddin. He was also asked to submit a written explanation. After receiving the committee’s report, the party took action against him.

Attempts were made to reach Shahab Uddin by phone for more information regarding the matter. However, repeated phone calls went unanswered.