Security has been tightened at the Bangladesh Secretariat, with the Ministry of Home Affairs intensifying monitoring of entry and vehicle movement within the complex ahead of the national election.

Three people have been sentenced to jail for attempting to enter the Secretariat illegally, the ministry said in a media release on Tuesday night.

The ministry said it is regularly overseeing the implementation of the Bangladesh Secretariat Entry Guidelines–2025 to ensure strict compliance. As part of this monitoring, two individuals — Md Alif Sharif and Md Ashiq — were detained on January 25 for unauthorised entry by the Secretariat’s surveillance team.

During preliminary interrogation, both admitted to forging the signature of an official from the Secretariat’s security wing to gain access, which constitutes a violation of government rules.

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Further investigation revealed that Md Alif Sharif had long been involved in producing illegal passes and assisting others in obtaining them. Following a mobile court hearing, Md Alif Sharif was sentenced to one month in jail, while Md Ashiq received a seven-day jail term.

Based on intelligence information, Md Didarul Alam, an employee of the Ministry of Science and Technology, was also found to be involved in the same offence and was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment by a mobile court.

The Home Ministry said unauthorised vehicle entry is also under strict surveillance, adding that vehicles without valid stickers or with expired stickers are being barred from entering the Secretariat.

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Such monitoring and enforcement drives will continue on a regular basis to ensure overall security at the Bangladesh Secretariat, the ministry added.