'We woke up to a good news', say Sonika's friends, close ones

Friends of model Sonika Chauhan, who died in the car crash, expressed their satisfaction over the arrest of actor Bikram Chatterjee.

Lawyer representing Sonika's parents Advocate Sanjay Basu said: "Firstly, I appreciate the character and patience which Sonika's parents have shown since they lost their daughter on April 29. Their grace and dignity is an example we can all learn from. Days like today (Friday) reaffirm the common citizen's faith in the law of the land, the administration, the police and the overall system. Today's (Friday) development also emphasizes that the law is equal for all.

The administration and the Kolkata Police have moved in a very professional manner to reach this stage. From here onwards, we will continue the pursuit of Justice for Sonika. We also thank the media for respecting the dignity of Sonika and the emotions of her grieving parents at this time."

Bikram was arrested at around 12.15 am on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday from near Acropolis Mall in this connection. It was the actor who was allegedly driving the car at a speed of around 100 km per hour and that too in an "inebriated" state.

Soon after the accident, a section of models and actors who were close to Sonika had demanded Bikram's arrest.

Though Bikram had initially claimed that he was not in an inebriated state while driving the car, common friends of Bikram and Sonika had claimed that he took alcohol that night. Some of their friends had given statement to the police stating that Bikram had taken alcohol and they also told in details about the places including the night clubs where Bikram went that night.

Subsequently, several models had started raising questions on the delay in arresting Bikram as several reports had established that he was in an inebriated state. Sonika's maternal uncle B Michael had also lodged a complaint with the police alleging that Bikram was in an inebriated state while driving the car and his reckless driving had claimed the life of Sonika.

After the arrest of Bikram, Tina Mukherjee, a model said: "We waited that when the proper step in this regard will be taken. Finally, we woke up to a good news on Friday and we are definitely happy."

Another model said that it is expected that the family members and close ones of Sonika will get justice. "We have faith in the investigating agency," she said.

Meanwhile, Saheb Bhattacharjee, who was present in a night club where Sonika and Bikram went that night, tweeted stating that some had thought law will not take its own course. "Some had thought that we will lose and the guilty will get (to) win the race. But they had forgotten that there is always light at the end of a tunnel," he tweeted without naming Bikram.

He further stated in the tweet urging people not to drive when in a drunken state as it may lead to a loss of close ones.

The police got Bikram in their remand till July 10 and they would be questioning him to get further information about that night. They will also be verifying the statement of his friends who were questioned earlier.