Parents of slain Sumanta deeply disappointed after verdict

The parents came to the Netherlands in July to attend the appeal. They sat just feet away from the man who stabbed their daughter to death, buried her in a secluded spot and lied for years about what happened.

Mother Sumanta: ‘He started talking because he was being punished’

“We have been kept on the line for so long. Lies upon lies. He has always denied. And when he saw no other way out and was punished, he started talking. He is trying to save his own skin. Instead of regret “He blames Sumanta for his actions,” Sharmila said during an emotional victim statement.

B. claimed on appeal that he was attacked with a knife and stabbed her to death in self-defense. The court said it was unbelievable today. “He said that she had the knife in her hands and accidentally stabbed her during a struggle. The fact that she has multiple stab wounds makes that story very unlikely. He also lied in his statements earlier and that makes him unreliable,” said press councilor Jeannine Aalders.

The Public Prosecution Service (OM) mentions the imposed sentence, which was just as high as the requirement, appropriate. At the time Sumanta was killed, the maximum sentence for manslaughter was fifteen years. The maximum has now been increased to 25 years.

OM: ‘It is painful that questions remain unanswered’

“On appeal, the suspect stated that he wanted to make matters open, but his statements are not believed by the Public Prosecution Service and the court. The fact that many important questions remain unanswered makes it extra painful for the surviving relatives,” the Public Prosecution Service said in a statement. response.

Something that the parents can only agree with, who lost their 22-year-old daughter, but also their first grandchild. Sumanta was pregnant at the time by the man who eventually killed her.

Hindu rituals

“We are devastated. But we have to accept that it is not murder,” said Sharmila Nanda. “We benefit a lot from the rituals from our Hindu faith. There are prayers, singing, eating and there are many flowers. This way her soul can find peace in the afterlife. There have already been several rituals. This is the last one, to make it clearer. closure and for us as relatives to get some peace. But we have no peace yet.”

View the response from Maartje Schaap, lawyer for Sumanta’s parents, below. Text continues below.

The parents receive compensation, but many of the claims they made have been rejected by the judge because it is not possible according to the law. This includes the two times they had to fly to the Netherlands for the trial. An enormous expense for the surviving relatives. “I am financially devastated. It is very difficult, I have not been able to work for a long time because of what happened. Let him (ed. Manodj B.) pay the costs. But our lawyer will discuss what happens next. is still possible.”

Will Manodj B. appeal in cassation?

However, it may still be the case that the case is not completely over yet. Lawyer Theo Hiddema indicates that he does not yet know the complete verdict. “But we are going to study that very carefully.”

In any case, what he heard in court gave him reason to possibly appeal to the Supreme Court, the last option for appeal in the Netherlands. “You cannot say after a 15-year sentence: never mind. My client says it is self-defense, so you have to continue. I think we will appeal in cassation. But I still have to discuss that with my client .”

Manodj B. has two weeks to appeal against his sentence.