Dhaka, Aug. 16 -- A case has been filed against 1,500 individuals over the mass looting of stones from Sylhet's tourist hotspot 'Sada Pathor'.

The case was lodged by Mohammad Anwarul Habib, joint secretary and director general of the Bureau of Mineral Development, at Companiganj police station on Friday. Police later confirmed the arrest of five suspects in drives linked to the incident.

The large-scale looting sparked nationwide outrage and prompted the High Court to order the recovery and reinstallation of the stolen stones, along with a list of suspects.

Subsequent drives by joint forces, including police and RAB, led to the recovery of 1,09,000 cubic feet of looted stones from Jaflong and Sada Pathor areas. Of these, 40,000 cubic f...