India murder trial: ‘no one can be proud of their contribution’

The 175th day of the trial of the man accused of her murder, Richard de Wit, took place in Srinagar yesterday [Thursday] but four witnesses failed to appear.

‘The trial simply cannot proceed along these lines any longer and some level of investigation must take place as to why witnesses are failing to appear,’ said Miss Groves’ father, Vic Groves.

‘Clearly this is an unacceptable situation but what to do about it? It is our misfortune that these events are taking place in Kashmir, and Kashmir is not like anywhere else in the world that we are aware of. It has had a normality-bypass operation.

‘Actions speak louder than words and we now believe it is time for action more than at any other time. No one associated with this trial can be proud of their involvement and contribution – the prosecution, the defence counsel and the judge.

‘No one outside the immediate court process itself can be proud of themselves – the Kashmiri legal and political establishment; the Delhi-based legal, political and diplomatic establishment; the Dutch Government for what appears to be a complete lack of interest in proceedings; and, sadly, the British Government for what are now becoming platitudes when they can no longer blame Brexit or the purdah of a general election.’

Sadly, with some notable exceptions outside of Guernsey, he said he had to include great swathes of the media in his criticism.

The tragedy was for some time ‘a topic of interest’ for the media.

‘We recognise that the lack of progress in the trial is a difficult subject to keep alive over such a protracted period,’ said Mr Groves. ‘However, Sarah’s death is no less significant, no less tragic and no less a mystery today than it was nearly seven years ago.

‘Your support in rattling cages, achieving justice for Sarah and as a direct result providing closure for Sarah’s family and friends is required more now than at any other time.’

n The next scheduled hearing date is Monday 30 December