LUCKNOW, Nov. 26 -- The crackdown on Uttar Pradesh's illegal truck overloading network has intensified after a special anti-corruption court on Tuesday rejected the anticipatory bail pleas of two key accused transport officials, noting that the order had also disrupted attempts by several other suspect officers to secure legal protection.

Special judge (anti-corruption) Shyam Mohan Jaiswal dismissed the anticipatory bail applications of assistant regional transport officer (ARTO) Rajiv Kumar Bansal and passenger tax officer (PTO) Manoj Bhardwaj, both accused of accepting bribes to allow overloaded, mineral-laden trucks to pass unchecked, causing major revenue losses to the state exchequer.

According to senior STF officials, the court or...