India, Feb. 24 -- LUCKNOW Illegal structural modifications in the ill-fated bus that met with an accident in the city on Monday have come under the scanner, with transport authorities confirming that the vehicle was altered in violation of norms.

According to RTO (Enforcement) Prabhat Pandey, preliminary inspection revealed significant deviations from the seating plan certified by the transport department. "As per official records, the bus was passed with a capacity of 32 seats and 16 sleeper berths. However, during checking, it was found that the vehicle had 33 sleeper berths and only nine seating spaces," he said.

Officials said the changes indicate that the bus had been modified illegally to accommodate more passengers than permitted...