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

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

The accused include 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 associate Touhidul Alam Zenith.

Sadeeq Agro is accused of illegally importing Brahman cattle.

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

The Department of Livestock states that Brahman breeds, which yield more meat, originated in India and 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 800kg and 1,000kg.

Officials from the Department of Livestock warn that if Brahman cattle were allowed to be bred in Bangladesh, it could reduce 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 subsequently 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. Last month, the Department of Livestock auctioned off 15 cattle to Sadeeq Agro, with three reportedly having died.

Sadeeq Agro sold several of these Brahman cattle at high prices during 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 carried out 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, sparking widespread discussion.

Subsequently, details of Matiur Rahman’s extensive wealth were exposed. He has since been removed from the NBR, and the ACC is investigating his illegal assets.

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.

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