Second consecutive wasted court day

Saturday 10 March 2018

The trial of the man accused of murdering Sarah Groves faltered for a second consecutive day this week.

Richard de Wit, who denies murder, couldn't be brought to court to face trial on either Thursday or Friday because of civil unrest in Srinagar.

Yesterday was the 113th scheduled court hearing, since Miss Groves death on a houseboat in Kashmir in 2013. Most of those court dates have been postponed or cancelled, with witnesses still waiting to be processed.

Miss Groves' father, Vic Groves issued a statement following the latest wasted court day, saying the information had been obtained from in-court legal representation and from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in London based on communication with the British High Commission in Delhi.

Mr Groves wrote: "As per yesterday’s hearing (Thursday 8 March), due to serious civil unrest in Kashmir, prisoners once again could not be brought from the Central Jail to court for today’s hearing (Friday 9 March).

"Prosecution Witness No 26, Senior Inspector Kuldeep Koul, was in attendance but was unable to be heard due to the absence of the accused, Richard de Wit."

The Groves family had been expecting that the latest outbreak of civil unrest in Srinagar would impact on today’s proceedings but Mr Groves said It was encouraging that a witness appeared at court "and, for once, he was on time."

Mr Groves continued: "Again as expected, the elusive taxi driver did not appear to give his evidence and renewed efforts will now be made to bring him to court after several unsuccessful attempts to do so over a four-year period."

Miss Groves family and friends remain hugely frustrated with the ongoing court process in India. Her father said again no process has been made and proceedings appear to have stalled. He is still hoping for an intervention by the British Government, with a petition to the UK Foreign Secretary continuing to attract signatures:

"Today’s lack of progress means that two further days in court have drawn a blank.  No progress was made in the trial which has seriously stalled.  Only one witness has been fully heard since June 2017.  The witness who did appear at court today first started giving his evidence on 25^th November 2017.

"15 witnesses remain to be heard."

Pictured: The petition launched by Miss Groves family. You can sign it here.