NEW DELHI: National Security Advisor Ajit Doval said today that political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir had been placed in "preventive detention" and would remain in custody till an "environment is created for democracy to function". Mr Doval also said the leaders, against whom no criminal charges had been framed, were free to challenge their detentions in a court of law.

"Everything is done according to the framework of law. They can challenge their detention in court. None of them have been charged with criminal offence or sedition, they are in preventive custody till environment is created for democracy to function, which I believe may happen soon," the NSA was quoted in a report by news agency ANI.

Nearly 400 political leaders, including former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah, were either arrested or placed under house arrest as part of a stringent security lockdown imposed after the centre withdrew special status under Article 370 to Jammu and Kashmir.