A writ is a formal written == warrant, orders, directions, and so on, issued by
the Supreme Court or the High court are called writs. A writ petition can be filed
in the High Court (Article 226) or the Supreme Court (Article 32) of India when
any of your fundamental rights are violated. The jurisdiction of the High Courts(Article
226) with regards to a writ petition is wider and extends to constitutional rights
too.
Types of Writs
Writ of Habeas Corpus
A writ of Habeas Corpus is used by the courts to find out if a person has been illegally
detained. If the answer is yes, the court can order for his release. If a person
has been illegally detained, he himself, a friend or even a relative can file a
writ of Habeas Corpus. Habeas Corpus is Latin for ‘Let us have the body’ (or, let
us see the person who has been illegally detained). Through Habeas Corpus, the court
can thus also summon the person detained or imprisoned to the court.
Filing Habeas Corpus petition
Although generally, a petition is to be filed by the person being detained or arrested,
as per Habeas Corpus, any other person can do it on behalf of the detained individual.
This writ (written petition) can be issued against a public authority or any particular
individual.
Writ of Mandamus
A writ of Mandamus is issued by a higher court to a lower court, tribunal or a public
authority to perform an act which such a lower court is bound to perform. If a public
official is not performing his duty, the court can order it or him/her to do that.
Mandamus means we command.
To file a Mandamus petition
Mandamus or the ‘we command’ writ can be issued against anyone, including the president
or governor of the state, a private person or chief justice. Any individual or a
private body can file a writ petition of mandamus, subject to the person/persons
having legal rights to do so, in the matter concerned.
Writ of Prohibition:
A writ of prohibition, also known as a ‘stay order’, is issued to a lower court
or a body to stop acting beyond its powers.
Writ of Certiorari:
The writ of Certiorari is issued by the Supreme Court to a Lower Court or any other
body to transfer a particular matter to the higher courts than itself. The Writ
of Certiorari is issued by the high court to the lower courts or tribunal, when
an error of jurisdiction or law is believed to be committed.
Writ of Quo Warranto
The writ of Quo Warranto (by what warrant) is issued to inquire about the legality
of a claim by a person or authority to act in a public office, which he or she is
not entitled to. The writ is only for the public offices and does not include private
institutions/offices.