Question

The writ of mandamus is issued by a Court

• A. to command a public authority to perform a legal duty
• B. to arrest a person immediately
• C. to produce a detained person before the court
• D. to set aside the judgment of a lower court

Hint:

Associate the Latin meanings with their functions:
- Habeas Corpus = "To have the body" (unlawful detention).
- Mandamus = "We command" (perform a duty).
- Certiorari = "To be certified/informed" (quash an order).
- Quo Warranto = "By what authority" (office claim).
- Prohibition = "To forbid" (stop lower court proceedings).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question is based on Constitutional Law, focusing on the system of Writs in India (Article 32 and Article 226).
We need to identify the specific purpose of the writ of "Mandamus".

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

• A writ is a formal written order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction (the Supreme Court under Article 32, or High Courts under Article 226) to protect fundamental rights.

• Mandamus is a Latin word which literally means "We command".
- It is an order issued by a superior court to a public office, corporation, inferior court, or public authority directing them to perform a statutory/public duty which they have failed or refused to perform.

• Let us evaluate the options:
-

Option (A): "to command a public authority to perform a legal duty" - This matches the exact legal purpose of Mandamus.
-

Option (B): "to arrest a person immediately" - Incorrect; courts do not issue constitutional writs for this purpose (arrest warrants are used instead).
-

Option (C): "to produce a detained person before the court" - This defines the writ of

Habeas Corpus.
-

Option (D): "to set aside the judgment of a lower court" - This defines the writ of

Certiorari.


Step 3: Final Answer:
The writ of mandamus is issued to command a public authority to perform a legal duty, which corresponds to Option (A).