Further trial delays as Sarah Groves family mark her 30th birthday

Thursday 21 June 2018

On what would have been her 30th birthday, the family of Sarah Groves have said there have been further delays in the trial of the man accused of killing her.

Her father, Vic Groves, said the court has failed to convene yet again meaning the 121st scheduled hearing in the trial of Richard de Wit, who denies murder, was another wasted opportunity to find out what happened to his daughter in April 2013.

The information has been obtained from the Groves family legal representative in Srinagar, where the trial is continuing more than five years after Miss Groves died.

Mr Groves said it is not yet clear what happened but the court "yet again failed to properly convene" and the accused – Mr de Wit – "was not produced in court and no witnesses showed up".

"There is speculation that there was some underlying civil unrest," he said.

Civil unrest has been the cause of previous delays within the court process in Srinagar.

The Judge’s court order, which Mr Groves has shared with the media reads:

“Prosecutor present; accused not produced today in court; Prosecutor requested a motion of adjournment.  The office is directed to summon the accused through production warrant.  List the case for 7^th July 2018”

Pictured: Richard de Wit denies killing Sarah Groves. His trial continues in Srinagar amid further delays.

Miss Groves' family said: "This is another setback in this farcical event that the Indian and Kashmiri authorities have the audacity to call a trial.  Of course it’s not just a trial, it’s a murder trial, which makes today’s events even more inexcusable and upsetting."

Her parents, brothers, wider family and friends had hoped that 2018 would bring more progress in the trial as earlier in the year "renewed efforts were made to enlist the help of other people.  We realised that political pressure was the only way that matters would improve and, hopefully, be dealt with on a proper and professional basis as befits a murder trial."

However despite a petition with nearly 20,000 signatures calling for an intervention by the British Government, and meetings with the UK MP Mark Field, who is the Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, little progress has been made this year.

The petition and the family's pleas help in securing justice for Miss Groves have reached the desk of Boris Johnson and meetings have been held in India between the British High Commission and Kashmiri officials and between the States of Guernsey and the Indian High Commissioner in London. There have also been further efforts at "achieving a joint initiative between the British and Dutch Governments" and "several letters" have been sent to "many people in high places."

The Groves family said as "the rate of progress has slowed, and the lack of respect has grown" they are feeling increasingly frustrated.

"Currently, we are out of aces and do not know how to proceed from here.  It is becoming increasingly evident that the chances of a successful and safe outcome to this trial are receding by the month.  At least within an acceptable timeframe.

"Does that mean we are despondent? Yes.

"Does that mean we are giving up? No."