Writs

Definition

The five formal written orders a court issues to enforce Fundamental Rights and legal rights: Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari, and Quo Warranto.

Key points

• Habeas Corpus: "produce the body", against unlawful detention.
• Mandamus: command to a public authority to perform its legal duty.
• Prohibition: stops a lower court from exceeding its jurisdiction (issued before, by a higher court).
• Certiorari: quashes or transfers an order of a lower court (issued after).
• Quo Warranto: questions a person's authority to hold a public office.
• Supreme Court issues writs under Art 32 (for Fundamental Rights only); High Courts under Art 226 (wider, also for other legal rights).

Why it matters for CAPF

Writ-to-function matching is a standard polity item, and the Art 32 versus Art 226 scope distinction is a common trap.

Common confusion

Prohibition (before judgment, to stop) versus Certiorari (after, to quash); and the narrower Art 32 versus wider Art 226 jurisdiction.

Parent note

fundamental rights