Previous Year Question

Under Article 32, the Supreme Court, and under Article 226, the High Courts, can issue writs in the nature of Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Quo Warranto and Certiorari. The Supreme Court's official jurisdiction material also identifies these five constitutional writs.

Habeas Corpus literally means “You may have the body.” Its principal purpose is to examine unlawful detention and protect the liberty of a person where the detention has no legal justification. Hence, option (a) is correctly matched.

Mandamus means “We command.” Through it, a court may command a public authority to perform a public or legal duty which it has failed or refused to perform. Thus, option (b) is correctly matched.

Prohibition means “to forbid or to stop.” It is generally issued by a superior court to restrain an inferior court or tribunal from proceeding beyond its jurisdiction. Hence, matching Prohibition with “To be certified” is incorrect.

Certiorari broadly means “to be more fully informed” and is associated with judicial review of proceedings or orders of an inferior court or tribunal. The expression used in option (c) therefore relates to Certiorari, not Prohibition.

Quo Warranto means “By what authority?” It enables a court to examine the legal authority by which a person occupies a public office. Hence, option (d) is correctly matched.

Thus, the useful sequence is—Habeas Corpus = have the body; Mandamus = we command; Prohibition = to forbid; Certiorari = to be informed/certified; Quo Warranto = by what authority.