Strong letter had "some limited effect" on Sarah Groves trial

Friday 17 August 2018

The 126 hearing in Sarah Groves' murder trial took place yesterday in Sringar, India.

It saw some evidence given from a witness, despite the accused - Richard de Witt - not attending "because of civil unrest".

The examination of said witness was given the go-ahead by the defence however, but ended up concluding earlier than expected because certain exhibits could not be produced.

Vic Groves, the father of Sarah Groves, said he understood said exhibits could not be produced because "the person in charge of the seizure room is on holiday".

Following that incident, the hearing concluded for the day.

At the last hearing, a letter was presented to the judge asking more was done to progress the trial. Mr Groves said this had had a "limited effect" but some difference was noted. For example two non-bailable warrants were issued for the other two witnesses who did not attend court, in an attempt to enforce their attendance. It was noted however that warrants have been issued before and ignored.

"The strongly worded letter to the judge referred to after the last hearing, with copies to the Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir and to the Chief Justice of India, has had some limited effect," Mr Groves said.

"Our legal representative made the following comment after today’s hearing: 'Today the effect of the letter to the judge was visible in court in respect of the judge and the Prosecutor'. In that letter we asked for the immediate replacement of Mr Sultan as Prosecutor due to his inability to get witnesses into court.  That hasn’t happened yet, but we have been informed that, as a direct result of that letter, he was heavily rebuked by the judge.

"The letter reminded the judge that this is a murder which should be given a much higher priority than has hitherto been the case. It was somewhat encouraging that today’s hearing commenced before the lunch break – the first time this has happened in a very long while.  However, it is disappointing that evidence could not properly be heard through basic incompetence and that the next hearing is three weeks away."

The trial continues, and the next date is set for 4 and 5 September.

Pictured: Sarah Groves and the accused, Richard de Witt.