Saheb Bhattacharya Testifies in Sonika Singh Chauhan Death Case

Actor Saheb Bhattacharya testifies in Alipore Court regarding the 2017 death of Sonika Singh Chauhan

Testimony and Legal Status of the Sonika Singh Chauhan Case

The legal case concerning the death of Sonika Singh Chauhan, who died in a car accident on April 29, 2017, with actor Vikram Chatterjee driving the vehicle, has returned to the spotlight. On July 21, 2026, actor Saheb Bhattacharya appeared at the Alipore Court to provide his testimony. According to News18, the proceedings included testimony from four witnesses, including the victim’s father, Vijay Singh Chauhan, and two individuals associated with the Aster Bar.

Public Prosecutor Prashant Majumdar confirmed that the court session focused on finishing the testimony of Sonika’s father, Vijay Singh Chauhan, and hearing from the additional witnesses, as reported by The Wall. While the specific details of what was said inside the courtroom remain under seal due to the ongoing nature of the trial, Bhattacharya spoke with the media after his appearance. He stated, Nine years later, I have been called for the first time. I have told the honorable court everything I know. I cannot say what happened inside the court.

The case has evolved significantly since the 2017 incident. Originally, charges were filed under bailable sections, but following public controversy, the more serious charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder was added to the legal proceedings, according to News18.

Political Allegations and the Pace of Hearings

Outside the courthouse, Bhattacharya pointed to what he described as a notable shift in the momentum of the case. He suggested that the recent series of hearings coincided with a change in the state government. Very coincidentally, the government changed this year, and since then, the hearings have started one after another, Bhattacharya told reporters, as noted by The Wall. For so many years, there was no progress. Now, at least, it feels like the matter is moving forward.

Bhattacharya further alleged that the accused, Vikram Chatterjee, had been favored by the previous administration. Vikram Chatterjee was very close to the previous government. People are intelligent; they will understand the rest. I am not saying anything more than this, he remarked. While he noted he was not making a direct political accusation, he emphasized that the parents of the deceased deserve justice for their broken world.

Defense Perspective on the 2017 Accident

Vikram Chatterjee, who was driving the vehicle at the time of the fatal crash, was absent from the July 21 hearing due to illness. His attorney, Anirban Guhathakurta, addressed reporters following the session to clarify the defense’s position. Guhathakurta stated that it is known they visited two nightclubs by choice that day. He added that the allegations raised against his client have not been substantiated before the court.

Regarding the status of the victim’s family, the defense lawyer stated, Today, practically, Sonika Singh Chauhan’s father has admitted that they have no complaints against Vikram. Today, standing before the court, he has said to the police that Vikram was his daughter Sonika’s friend. The accident happened while they were returning together.

Addressing questions regarding whether Chatterjee was intoxicated on the night of the accident, Guhathakurta said, No, not at all in an intoxicated state. Nothing was found in Vikram’s medical test to suggest he was intoxicated. The matter is sub-judice, so I cannot say the whole thing. Furthermore, the defense rejected claims that Chatterjee had abandoned the scene, stating, Both were taken to the hospital together. Vikram was also sufficiently injured. No such testimony or evidence has come before the court that Vikram left the car after the accident.

The Search for Justice for Sonika Singh Chauhan

The emotional toll of the nine-year wait remains a central theme for those involved. Bhattacharya emphasized the persistence of Sonika’s parents, noting that they have remained dedicated to the legal battle despite the long timeline. In the beginning, many people were by their side. Gradually, everyone returned to their own lives. But two people have not left this fight for a single moment—Sonika’s father and mother, Bhattacharya said, as reported by The Wall. A mother still does not let the flowers on her daughter’s grave dry even after nine years. At least a little justice is needed for their broken world.

The court has scheduled the next hearing for July 22, 2026, as the legal process continues to unfold.