Srinagar, Oct. 25 -- Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti has filed a petition in the Jammu and Kashmir High Court seeking protection of the rights of undertrial prisoners who have been lodged in jails for prolonged periods.

In her petition, Mufti urged the court to ensure that undertrial prisoners receive timely justice and legal assistance. She specifically requested that those currently held in prisons outside the Union Territory be transferred back to local jails unless authorities provide written, case-specific reasons justifying their continued detention outside the region. She also sought judicial review of such cases every three months.

Mufti said that prior to filin...