Lucknow: The ill-fated sleeper bus that crashed in Ambedkarnagar, killing four passengers, had a history of repeated traffic violations. According to transport department records, the bus had accumulated 44 challans in six months, amounting to Rs 2.44 lakh in outstanding dues.The bus was registered in Bihar on Jan 14, 2026, and had an authorised seating capacity of 17 and a sleeping capacity of 28 passengers. Officials, however, found that the vehicle had undergone unauthorised modifications.According to transport department records, the bus received its first challan in Lucknow in March 2026, following which 43 more challans were issued for violations including unauthorised modifications, parking violations, driving on the wrong side and failure to wear seat belts.Officials said the bus’s registration, insurance, pollution certificate and fitness documents were valid at the time of the accident. RTO Ayodhya Sanjay Kumar Jha, ARTO Satendra Yadav and traffic sub-inspector JB Yadav inspected the accident site and the vehicles.The trailer involved in the crash had also accumulated 14 challans, with nearly Rs 80,000 in outstanding dues. The violations were recorded between 2023 and 2025 in Tamil Nadu, Kanpur and other places. Officials said there had been no challan against the trailer in the past year.The incident has also raised questions over the use of sleeper buses for transporting commercial goods. Although such buses are primarily permitted to carry passengers, officials found a challan inside the vehicle that reportedly mentioned pumping-related equipment being transported from Delhi to Patna.Jaitpur police registered an FIR in connection with the accident under provisions relating to negligent driving and culpable homicide, among other charges. The bus driver, identified as Anshu, was taken into custody for questioning, although police had not officially confirmed the detention.SP Ambedkarnagar Prachi Singh said that Jaitpur police registered an FIR in connection with the accident under provisions relating to negligent driving and culpable homicide, among other charges, and the bus driver, Anshu, was arrested.
