Tollywood actor Vikram Chatterjee has been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder for the death of model-anchor Sonika Singh Chauhan in a car accident last month.
He is charged with IPC Sec 304, which will carry a maximum jail term of 10 years. He was earlier accused of causing the death by rash and negligent driving, which carries a maximum prison term of two years.
After late night clubbing in at least two top-notch nightclubs in Kolkata, Vikram was dropping Sonika home at 3.30 am on 29 April 2017 when they met with an accident at Rashbehari near Lake mall. He rushed Sonika to the hospital, but she died 40 minutes later.
Chatterjee was also injured in the crash. On 4th May, he was released from the hospital and served a notice to record his statement with the police.
Also read: Actor Vikram in ICU, model Sonika dead in major accident
Vikram also organised a press conference where he denied all the allegations, stating that he was not intoxicated while driving and that his car was not speeding.
Later, many of Sonika’s friends alleged that Vikram was drunk and hence the car crash happened. However, on 9th May, Vikram gave his statement at a Kolkata police station and was granted bail immediately, triggering a huge controversy.
A news channel's investigation uncovered some video clips which showed Vikram holding a drink-filled glass at a party. A few friends also alleged that Vikram was mixing drinks, having Rum and Coke mostly. Vikram in his clarification stated that he was indeed having a soft drink and not any alcoholic beverage at the party.
The police filed for a stricter charge based on the high speed the car was travelling at the time of the accident happened.
Vikram is a popular Bengal TV actor who acted in many top shows like Ichchenodi in Star Jalsa, Doli Armaano Ki in Zee Bangla. He was one of the contestants of Bigg Boss Bangla in 2013.
He has also acted in many hit movies like Saheb Bibi Golaam, Bedroom, Ami Shudhu Cheyechi Tomay, etc. His upcoming movie Khoj will be releasing on 2nd June. In the film, Vikram will be seen as a cop.