Sat Oct 25 20:35:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten news article:

Summary:

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) with the J&K High Court seeking the repatriation of J&K under-trial prisoners currently held in jails outside the Union Territory. The PIL argues that their detention far from their families and legal counsel violates their rights, obstructs legal processes, and effectively punishes them before conviction. The PIL requests immediate transfer, mandated family and lawyer access, quarterly judicial review for cases requiring out-of-state detention, and the establishment of an oversight committee and financial assistance for family visits.

News Article:

Mufti Files PIL Demanding Return of J&K Under-Trial Prisoners Held Outside Union Territory

Srinagar, October 26, 2025: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti has taken legal action to address the situation of J&K under-trial prisoners currently incarcerated in jails outside the Union Territory. Ms. Mufti has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) with the J&K High Court, seeking their immediate repatriation.

The PIL argues that holding these individuals far from their families and legal counsel constitutes a violation of their fundamental rights, including Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. The petition highlights the difficulties these prisoners face in accessing legal representation, maintaining family contact, and ensuring a speedy trial.

“To punish by distance and separating undertrials from courts and families makes detention indistinguishable from punishment,” stated the PIL. Ms. Mufti has requested the court to issue a writ of Mandamus, directing authorities to transfer all J&K under-trial prisoners back to jails within the Union Territory.

The PIL also requests the establishment of a comprehensive access protocol that guarantees weekly family visits, unrestricted lawyer-client interviews, and prevents denial of access based on financial or logistical constraints. Furthermore, the petition seeks quarterly judicial reviews for cases where out-of-state detention is deemed necessary, along with the creation of an oversight committee to monitor compliance and address grievances. The PIL also calls for financial assistance to cover the travel and accommodation costs of one family member per month for visits to out-of-state prisons until the repatriation process is complete.

The High Court is expected to hear the PIL in the coming weeks. The case is likely to reignite discussions regarding the rights of under-trial prisoners and the logistical challenges of managing the prison population in the region.

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