Mehbooba Mufti raises human rights concerns over Kashmiri prisoners held without trial

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th May, 2026) In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Peoples Democratic Party President Mehbooba Mufti termed it unfortunate that thousands of prisoners from the territory continue to remain lodged in jails outside the region without trial, describing the situation as a serious human rights violation and a matter of deep concern for their families.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the PDP chief said Engineer Rashid’ s case reflects the ordeal of most households in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, as thousands of people are languishing in jails, mostly outside the territory. She said Rashid was recently released on bail to attend the last rites of his father at a New Delhi hospital.

Engineer Rashid, who defeated Omar Abdullah and Sajjad Lone in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, has remained lodged in Delhi’s Tihar Jail since his arrest by the NIA in 2019 in what is described as a fake case.

Mehbooba Mufti said the court allowed him temporary relief to see his father and attend the funeral, possibly due to public pressure.

She said many other Kashmiri prisoners jailed since 2019 were not even allowed to see their parents before they passed away.

Mufti termed the continued detention of prisoners without trial a serious human rights violation and a tragedy for families across the territory.

Mehbooba Mufti concluded by raising concern over the continued detention of Kashmiri prisoners without trial and called on international human rights organizations to take notice of the situation and the suffering of affected families.