The latest scheduled hearing in the trial of the man accused of murdering Sarah Groves has been delayed because lawyers are on strike in Srinagar.
It was the 115th scheduled hearing but Miss Groves' father has described it as "another wasted day with the benefit of fast-tracking completely lost due to a lawyers’ strike and the witness failing to show up yet again."
Yesterday's scheduled hearing was attended by the clerk of prosecution and the accused but the Defence counsel was not present nor was the prosecutor or any of the witnesses.
Because the trial couldn't proceed, Mr De Wit, who denies murder, was remanded back into custody at the central jail with the next hearing now scheduled for 11 April, 2018. That will be the week after the fifth anniversary of Miss Groves death on a houseboat in Kashmir.
Mr Groves said the latest turn of events "typify the frustrations that have been experienced throughout this trial" adding that "fortunately, a great deal of work has been going on in the background to persuade the Kashmiri legal authorities, even at this late stage, to treat the trial with the respect and gravitas it merits."
Mr Groves explained that over the past two weeks there have been some developments:
"Via the States of Guernsey, our Minister for External Affairs, Jonathan Le Tocq, held a successful meeting in London with His Excellency the High Commissioner for India. His Excellency, well connected in Kashmir, has promised to raise the profile of the case through proper channels.
"Via the UK Government and our attempts to involve the Foreign Secretary, the Foreign Office has arranged a meeting with Mark Field MP, Minister responsible for Asia Pacific Affairs. This is scheduled for the end of April.
"Via the British Government and its diplomatic presence in India, the UK’s Deputy High Commissioner has raised the matter in a formal meeting the Mrs Mehbooba Mufti Sayeed, Governor of the State of Jammu & Kashmir. Mrs Mehbooba has been contacted on several occasions before but has, to date, had little or no influence over proceedings. It is hoped this official point of contact will have a greater influence over matters."
Pictured: Sarah Groves
Mr Groves added that a letter has been written to the judge, every senior legal and political stakeholder in the region and in Delhi, requesting specific improvements and the recall of key witnesses for second cross-examination. He said no one has responded so far.
A letter has also been written to the Attorney General, the Shadow Attorney General and the Shadow Foreign Minister, expressing serious concerns about the trial to date and its possible collapse. Mr Groves said because Mr De Wit is a Dutch national, contact has also been made with the Netherlands about how the trial can be brought to its safest possible conclusion.
Pictured above: Richard de Wit, who denies murder, and Sarah Groves
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