Vikram Chatterjee accused in Kolkata model Sonika Chauhan's death, arrested

Actor Vikram Chatterjee, who is facing a culpable homicide charge for the car crash in which model-anchor Sonika Chauhan was killed in April, was arrested at around 12.15 a.m. on Friday from outside Kolkata's Acropolis Mall on Rashbehari Avenue Connector.

Acting on a tip- off, policemen from Tollygunj police station and the city police's detective department conducted a raid and arrested Vikram from inside a cab in front of the Acropolis Mall. Police had received information that the actor was going to meet some of his friends and conducted the raid.

He was remanded in the custody of the police till Monday after being produced before the Alipore Court on Friday afternoon. Bikram had taken anticipatory bail from Alipore Court on May 5, soon after being released from the private hospital off EM Bypass. Subsequently, he held a press conference claiming that he was not in an inebriated state while driving the car.

His claim found to be "untrue" as he himself told the police that "he had taken alcohol that night but he was in his senses". At the same time, CCTV footage, friends' statements, report of the car manufacturer and forensic reports had established that he was in an "inebriated state".

Chatterjee had earlier been charged with causing death due to rash and negligent driving for which the maximum punishment is two years.

Subsequently, the sections under which he was being booked were amended. On May 30, the police had amended the sections and booked him on charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Section 304 of the Indian Penal Code or culpable homicide not amounting to murder means he can be jailed for up to 10 years.

There is "enough evidence" against the actor, police said.

Chatterjee, a TV actor, was driving Sonika home after a party around 3.30 am on April 29 when the car hit a pavement and flipped.