FIR Filed Against Jayanta Malla Baruah Over Gir Cow Procurement Scam

The Goalpara District Youth Congress on Monday filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Assam Cabinet Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah, alleging criminal misappropriation of public property, cheating, and corruption in connection with the Garukhuti Agricultural Project’s Gir cow procurement drive.

The FIR, submitted to the Officer-in-Charge of Goalpara Sadar Police Station, names Baruah as the prime accused along with unnamed officials from the state’s Agriculture and Dairy Development departments. It invokes multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act, including:

Section 406 IPC / Section 316(2) BNS – Criminal breach of trust

Section 409 IPC / Section 309(5) BNS – Criminal breach of trust by public servant

Section 420 IPC / Section 318 BNS – Cheating and dishonest inducement

Section 120B IPC / Section 61(2) BNS – Criminal conspiracy

Sections 13(1)(c) and 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988

Allegations Stem from Gir Cow Procurement

The controversy centres around the state’s ambitious Garukhuti Agricultural Project, under which the Assam government procured 300 Gir cows during the 2022–2023 financial year. These cows were transported to the state via Rangiya Railway Station in Kamrup district.

According to a public statement made by Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah on June 27, 2025, the government sold off 90 of the cows due to what he described as "inadequate infrastructure" to house them. Among these, 20 Gir cows were reportedly sold to JMB Aqua Agro Pvt. Ltd., a private firm allegedly operated by the minister’s wife and a close associate, for a sum of ₹13.2 lakh through banking channels.

The FIR asserts that the direct sale of government livestock to a company linked to a sitting Cabinet Minister represents a clear conflict of interest and possible abuse of public office for personal financial gain. The complainants further allege that the same company, JMB Aqua Agro Pvt. Ltd. received over ₹50 lakh in dairy-related subsidies under state government schemes.

What has intensified the suspicion is the sudden spike in the company’s financial profile. As per documents cited in the FIR, the company witnessed a 1,900% increase in assets and over 500% growth in profits during the same fiscal year. The Youth Congress alleges these points toward insider access, misuse of government funds, and a criminal conspiracy involving public officials.

The Youth Congress, in its formal complaint, has sought urgent legal and investigative action. It has demanded that an FIR be registered without delay under the applicable sections of law and that a criminal investigation be launched against all individuals named in the complaint.

The FIR further calls for the seizure and thorough review of records related to the Agriculture and Dairy Development Department, the Garukhuti Agricultural Project, and JMB Aqua Agro Pvt. Ltd.

Additionally, the complainants have urged authorities to conduct a full inquiry into the chain of custody and transfer process of the 300 Gir cows. A forensic audit of both the subsidy disbursement and the financial records of JMB Aqua Agro Pvt. Ltd. has also been requested to assess possible financial irregularities. The complaint emphasises the need to record statements from the accused and all involved officials, and, if deemed necessary, to refer the case to the Vigilance & Anti-Corruption Bureau or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for an impartial probe.

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