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Sarah Groves family have again said the Kashmiri justice system is not fit for purpose, and that those individuals serving in it should be ashamed of themselves as the trial of the man accused of her murder faltered again.
Earlier this week, a statement from Miss Groves family said it was "unacceptable on a number of accounts" that Richard de Wit's case could not be heard, because another hearing had overrun.
He denies murdering 24-year-old Sarah Groves in 2013 and his trial is being heard by the 2nd Additional Magistrates’ Court in Srinagar. A legal representative for the Groves' family said the hearing scheduled for yesterday, Monday 19 November, led to absolutely no progress being made, again - despite Mr de Wit and his advocate and the prosecutor all being present. Something which has not always been the case previously.
After that hearing, the Groves family said they would wait until after Tuesday's scheduled hearing before making any further comment.
Now, they have said they are "too disgusted to elaborate" on what happened in court, during the 142 scheduled hearing.
The Groves family said after Monday's "blank day in court when proceedings ran out of time, hopes were high that some progress would be made at today’s scheduled hearing. Unfortunately, despite the presence of one witness, no under-trial prisoners were brought to court from the Central Jail today. No reason was given for this and the case could not proceed."
The family are understandably angry. Where they usually issue 'general comments' to the media following the scheduled court hearings, this time they have said:
"None – too disgusted to elaborate except to say that in the 16.5 months since 7th July 2017, only 4 out of 46 listed witnesses have been heard by the court. In that period there have been 46 scheduled hearings of which 35 have been wholly unproductive (76%).
"If, when reading this, you have not taken the following statement on board in the past, please do so now as the above statistics are undeniable proof:
"The Kashmiri system of justice is not fit for purpose and the people serving within it should be ashamed of themselves!"
Pictured: Sarah Groves parents, Vic (centre) and Kate (front right) Groves, met the Indian High Commissioner earlier this year in an attempt to speed up Richard de Wit's trial.
24-year-old Sarah Groves was stabbed to death on a houseboat on 6 April, 2013.
The houseboat she was staying in, on Dal Lake, Kashmir, belonged to the family of a man described as her boyfriend.
Dutchman Richard de Wit was arrested soon afterwards and charged with her murder, but has always denied killing her, with Miss Groves family among those previously saying they're not convinced he did it.
Pictured top: Sarah Groves and Richard de Wit.
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