Actor Vikram Chatterjee Charged With Culpable Homicide For Model Sonika Chauhan's Death

New Delhi: Exactly one month after model-anchor Sonika Chauhan was killed in a car crash in Kolkata, actor Vikram Chatterjee, who was driving the car, has been charged by the police with culpable homicide not amounting to murder. He had earlier been charged with causing death due to rash and negligent driving for which the maximum punishment is two years. Section 304 of the Indian Penal Code or culpable homicide not amounting to murder means he can be jailed for up to 10 years. 

The police decided to apply stricter charges against Mr Chatterjee after investigation of his car's speed at the time of the crash, CCTV footage from the nightclubs he had visited with Ms Chauhan on the night of 28 April and the statements of nightclub personnel and the model-anchor's friends who were there.  

Around 3:30 am April 29, Mr Chatterjee was apparently driving Ms Chauhan home when the car crashed. Forensic tests on the car have reportedly put the speed at the time of the crash at between 95 to 105 kmph.  

Ms Chauhan was rushed to hospital where she died around one hour later.
 Days after her death, Vikram Chatterjee called a press meet and said he was neither intoxicated nor speeding when the car crashed. Ms Chauhan's friends protested, first on social media, and then went to the police and the court with statements saying they had seen Mr Chatterjee drinking on the night of the accident. 

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Pictures that the model's friends shared on Snapchat have set off a storm. The footage shows Mr Chatterjee with a glass in his hand, but it is not clear whether it was alcohol or a soft drink.

Supporters of both have launched campaigns in Kolkata. A "Justice for Sonika" petition has been launched by activist Pranadhika Sinha and "Voice for Vikram" has been started by the actor's friends.

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