The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) seized six banned Brahman breed cows during a raid on Sadeeq Agro's farm.
ACC Assistant Director Abul Kalam Azad led the raid on the farm on Wednesday. Dhaka District Livestock Officer Basna Akhter was present.
ACC’s Public Relations Officer Aktarul Islam told journalists that the cattle are now under the custody of the Department of Livestock.
According to ACC sources, the team went to Sadeeq Agro based on information and discovered six Brahman cattle imported from the US. During the raid, neither the owner nor the manager of Sadeeq Agro was found.
ACC: Sadeeq Agro breeding banned Brahman cowsAccording to the Department of Livestock, Brahman breeds yield more meat and originated in India. They were further improved in the US by combining two to three other breeds. While local cattle weigh between 250 and 350kg at two to two and a half years, Brahman cattle weigh between 800 and 1,000kg.
Officials from the Department of Livestock say that if Brahman cattle were allowed to be bred in Bangladesh, it could lead to a decrease in the breeding of high milk-yielding cattle, which is why their importation is banned.
However, Sadeeq Agro is accused of illegally importing Brahman cattle.
On July 5, 2021, 18 Brahman cattle imported by them were seized at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by Dhaka Customs House. They were later kept at the Central Cattle Breeding and Dairy Farm in Savar under the custody of the Department of Livestock.
Goat supremacy: Don’t let a goat eat your fortuneAt that time, Sadeeq Agro filed a writ in the High Court against the seizure of the cattle, but the court ruled against them. However, last month, the Department of Livestock auctioned 15 cattle to Sadeeq Agro. Three cattle had reportedly died earlier.
Sadeeq Agro sold several of these Brahman cattle at high prices during the recent Eid-ul-Azha. Following this, ACC conducted raids on Monday at the Department of Livestock's farm and Sadeeq Agro. Another raid was conducted on Wednesday.
Earlier this year, Matiur Rahman's son Mushfiqur Rahman Ifat, a member of the National Board of Revenue, went to purchase a goat from Sadeeq Agro for Tk15 lakh during Eid. The incident went viral on social media and sparked widespread discussion. Later, details of Matiur Rahman’s extensive wealth were revealed. He has since been removed from the NBR, and the commission is investigating his illegal assets.
Later, in a drive to reclaim canals, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) demolished Sadeeq Agro's farm in Mohammadpur. The cattle and goats from this farm have been relocated to the institution's farm in Savar.
