Photo : Collected
Despite the Brahman breed's restriction in the nation since 2016, the Anti-Corruption Commission has been searching Sadeeq Agro's farms for the cows. The Brahman cows are listed among the farm's animals. Six Brahman cows were ultimately taken from their farm on Wednesday (3 July) by the anti-graft body.
In the presence of Dhaka District Animal Resources Officer Basna Akhtar, the raid was led by ACC Assistant Director Abul Kalam Azad.
The ACC obtained information that seven Brahman calves were found listed among the cattle in a Sadeeq Agro farm, while five Brahman cows were inseminated last month.
Employees of Sadeeq Agro claim that each cow is worth crores. No owner or manager of Sadeeq Agro was found during the raid.
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.
An employee of Sadeeq Agro said that the cows were brought here late at night. From 2021 to 2023, these seized cows were reared at the Central Cattle Breeding and Dairy Farm. Then, the Department of Livestock Services auctioned the cows at a price of Tk280 on the condition that they would be sold as meat. However, they somehow ended up at Sadeq Agro again.
