The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Monday conducted a drive at the state-owned Central Cattle Breeding and Dairy Farm in Savar over allegations of providing unethical benefits to Sadeeq Agro Limited.
A team, comprising nine-member, led by ACC Assistant Director Abul Kalam Azad raided the state-owned cattle breeding farm in Savar on Monday.
Officials said the team is looking into various graft allegations, including tender fraud and the attempt to import 18 cows of Brahman breed without prior permission from the authorities concerned and without opening a letter of credit (LC) on July 5, 2021.
Importer Sadeeq Agro for this import used fake livestock ministry documents claiming they were part of the Sahiwal breed.
The customs authorities seized the cows at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and sent those to state-owned Central Cattle Breeding and Dairy Farm in Savar.
From 2021 to 2023, these seized cows were reared at the farm and Sadeeq Agro reportedly connived with the institution officials in taking back the cattle.
The matter was heard at the High Court, which, on August 3 the same year, upheld the customs officials' decision to seize the cows.
Then, the company announced an auction to sell those for meat. 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.
ACC Assistant Director Abul Kalam Azad Azad said the cows were bought back by Sadeeq Agro at a cheaper price.
He said they are conducting the operation mainly focusing on how those cows ended up at Sadeeq Agro.
Meanwhile, Sadeeq Agro Limited came to the limelight recently by selling a goat for Tk12 lakh to a son of former National Board of Revenue officer Matiur Rahman.
Besides, the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has recently demolished illegal structures, including Sadeeq Agro, to reclaim lands grabbed particularly by the agro farm and others on June 27.
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