Govt-owned Savar farm raided by ACC for providing 'undue benefits' to Sadeeq Agro

The government-owned Central Cattle Breeding and Dairy Farm in Savar has been raided by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) amid allegations of it giving Sadeeq Agro "unethical benefits".

A team of nine conducted the operation under the leadership of Assistant Director of ACC Abul Kalam Azad today (1 July).

On 5 July 2021, dairy farm Sadeeq, a concern of Sadeeq Agro Limited, attempted to import 18 cows of Brahman breed without prior permission from the authorities concerned and without opening a letter of credit (LC).

The cows were imported from the US using false documentation claiming they were part of the Sahiwal breed.

They were seized by the customs officials at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. 

The matter was heard at the High Court, which, on 3 August the same year,  upheld the customs officials' decision to seize the cows.

The cows were sent to Savar Cow Breeding and Dairy Farm by the government and were being kept there.

From 2021 to 2023, these seized cows were reared at the Central Cattle Breeding and Dairy Farm. 

Then, the company announced an auction to sell them for meat.

"Initially, a committee was formed in 2023 to fulfil the demand for meat, and 16 cows were transferred to the Dairy Farm Association at a nominal price," said ACC Official Abul Kalam Azad after the raid. 

However, then arose allegations of the cows being bought back by Sadeeq Agro at a cheaper price instead.

"Today's operation mainly focuses on how those cows ended up at Sadeeq Agro," the ACC official added. 

During the operation, the officers questioned Md Monirul Islam, the director of the Central Cattle Breeding and Dairy Farm.