Sumanta Bansi
born: 1996
stabbed to death: 18 February 2018
Residence: Hoorn, Netherlands
Origin: Suriname
Children: none
Perpetrator: Manodj B. (38 years old at the time of the murder)
Sumanta grows up in Wageningen, Suriname, and moves to the Netherlands in 2016 for her studies in biomedical sciences. She lives with her aunt in Amsterdam, but she can only stay there for a short time. Sumanta starts looking for another place to live and eventually finds shelter in Hoorn with a befriended Surinamese-Hindu couple.
From Hoorn Sumanta travels up and down to the University of Amsterdam. In addition to her studies, she works at a dentist's office. She also regularly visits a Hindu temple in Amsterdam.
In the summer of 2017, Sumanta unexpectedly becomes pregnant with Manodj B., which creates tensions and concerns for Sumanta and those around her. After discussions with the traditional Surinamese-Hindu family she lives with, Sumanta decides to terminate the pregnancy. Some say she was forced to have an abortion.
Several months later, in February 2018, Sumanta is found to be pregnant again with Manodj. Sumanta let it be known to several people that she wanted to keep the unborn child, thus jeopardizing the honor of Manodj B.'s family.
From one day to the next, 22-year-old Sumanta, then 9 weeks pregnant, disappears. She no longer responds to messages on Facebook and Whatsapp and does not appear at her work, at the university or at the Hindu temple in Amsterdam. Since February 18, 2018, nothing has been heard from her.
The police launched an investigation and told that suicide is an unlikely scenario because Sumanta was overjoyed with her pregnancy. Police suspect that Sumanta's ex-lover Manodj B., his wife, father and brother are involved in the disappearance.
In June 2019 a popular television program will pay attention to this case. At that time, the suspects are tapped by the police and do what the police had hoped for, namely talk among themselves about Sumanta's murder case.
The police reportedly overheard a conversation between the two brothers in which Manodj says he stole chemicals at work. It was said to be sodium hydroxide that digests tissue. The brothers then discuss how to activate the substance.
That night, cameras capture the brothers entering Manodj's home in Hoorn with jerry cans. Those same jerry cans are later found empty in the home.
Police also has audio recordings in which Manodj B. says that he "just killed her." He spoke to his brother about the "condition of the body" and a murder weapon that should be thrown away. On July 20, according to police, Manodj B. said, "I stabbed her straight through her heart."
Based on the investigation results, Manodj B. was arrested. He invoked his right to remain silent and would not say anything. His wife, brother and father were also arrested, but later released. They are still suspected of involvement.
On June 7, 2022, the public prosecutor at the court of Alkmaar demanded 15 years imprisonment against Manodj B. for the murder of Sumanta and acquittal for his father.
Despite several searches in recent years, no trace of Bansi has been found. The verdict is not yet known. We would be happy with tips about this case!
