Progress finally made in murder trial

Monday 17 February 2020

After 14 consecutive failed hearings, progress has finally been made in the trial of the man accused of murdering Sarah Groves.

Sub-Inspector Bashir Ahmad was cross examined at the 179th hearing yesterday, having first taken the stand on 29 June last year.

He was partly cross examined on 23 July 2019, but shortly afterwards the Federal Government of India revoked the States of Jammu & Kashmir's Special Status. The political upheaval meant the court failed to convene for months.

Yesterday's hearing marked the first time progress has been made since the political change.

Pictured: Sarah's parents, Kate and Vic Groves.

Although SI Ahmad is not a key witness and his evidence was mostly procedural, Sarah's family see the most recent hearing as a significant step forward.

Prior to the hearing, only one witness had been fully heard since November 2018.

The Judge expressed serious concern about the lack of witnesses, telling the police they must make more of an effort to locate them and force them to attend court. Specific reference was made to the taxi driver who is yet to appear in court, despite numerous attempts to find him since he was first listed in March 2014.

The next hearing is due to take place on 27 February.

Pictured: Sarah Groves. 

Miss Groves was stabbed to death while staying on a houseboat in Kashmir in April 2013. 

Mr de Wit was arrested shortly after her death and has been on remand ever since. He denies murder. 

Pictured top: The accused, Richard de Wit, and Sarah Groves.