2 central cattle breeding and dairy farm directors among seven accused

TDS Desk:

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against seven individuals, including two Central Cattle Breeding and Dairy Farm directors and Sadeeq Agro owner, on charges of irregularities and corruption.

ACC Assistant Director Md Abul Kalam Azad filed the case with the commission’s integrated district office-1 on Tuesday, ACC Deputy Director Akhtarul Islam confirmed.

The accused are Central Cattle Breeding and Dairy Farm Director Dr Md Monirul Islam, Director (Production) Dr ABM Khaleduzzaman, Buyer Officer Saiful Islam, Upazila Livestock Officer (Leave Reserve) Dr Firoz Ahmed Khan, Deputy Director Dr ABM Salah Uddin, Sadeeq Agro owner Imran Hossain and Imran’s friend Touhidul Alam Zenith.

Sadeeq Agro stands accused of illegally importing Brahman cattle.

On July 3, the ACC seized six Brahman-breed cows in a raid on Sadeeq Agro’s farm.

According 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 250kg 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 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.

On July 5, 2021, 18 Brahman cattle imported by Sadeeq Agro 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.

At that time, Sadeeq Agro filed a writ petition in the High Court against the seizure, but the court ruled against them. However, last month, the Department of Livestock auctioned off 15 cattle to Sadeeq Agro. Three cattle had reportedly died.

Sadeeq Agro sold several of these Brahman cattle at high prices during this Eid-ul-Azha. Following this, the ACC conducted raids on July 1 at the Department of Livestock’s farm and Sadeeq Agro. Another raid was conducted on July 3.

Earlier this year, senior government official Matiur Rahman’s son Mushfiqur Rahman Ifat 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 ACC is investigating his illegal assets.

Meanwhile, in a drive to reclaim canals, the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) later demolished Sadeeq Agro’s farm in Mohammadpur. The cattle and goats from this farm were relocated to the institution’s farm in Savar.