Srinagar: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President, Mehbooba Mufti, on Monday led a peaceful protest in Srinagar demanding the return of Kashmiri prisoners lodged in jails outside the Union Territory. Mehbooba Mufti raised slogans of “Bail, not Jail,” accusing the government of denying basic constitutional rights to detainees, many of whom have spent years in prison without fair or timely trials.

The protest saw the participation of PDP workers and supporters. A party spokesperson said the demonstration aimed to highlight systemic injustices faced by Kashmiri detainees and the urgent need for prison and judicial reforms. The spokesperson emphasized that prisoners from Jammu and Kashmir should be lodged in local jails to ensure proper access to legal defence and family visits, noting that the distance from home adversely affects prisoners’ right to a fair trial and emotional well-being.

Mehbooba Mufti and party leaders stressed the importance of timely trials, asserting that “justice delayed is justice denied.” They also called for the mandatory production of accused individuals at every court hearing to maintain transparency and accountability in legal proceedings. The PDP highlighted the constitutional principle of “bail, not jail,” arguing that denial of bail in cases with delayed trials or limited evidence causes unnecessary suffering and violates basic legal rights.

Additionally, the PDP demanded transparency in granting remission in life-term cases and insisted that parole, furlough, and medical bail be treated as legal rights rather than privileges. The party called for full implementation of jail manuals to uphold the dignity and rights of prisoners without discrimination. Mehbooba Mufti warned that ignoring prisoners’ rights only deepens alienation and mistrust. The protest concluded peacefully, with party leaders pledging to continue campaigning until the government addresses the plight of Kashmiri prisoners and facilitates their return closer to their families.