What is the Power of High Courts to issue certain writs? What is the Power of superintendence over all courts by the High Court? Article 226 and 227 of Constitution of India, 1949
Power of High Courts to issue certain writs, Power of superintendence over all courts by the High Court are defined under Article 226 and 227 of Constitution of India 1949. Provisions under this Article are:
(1) Notwithstanding anything in Article 32 every High Court shall have powers, throughout the territories in relation to which it exercise jurisdiction, to issue to any person or authority, including in appropriate cases, any Government, within those territories directions, orders or writs, including writs in the nature of habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibitions, quo warranto and certiorari, or any of them, for the enforcement of any of the rights conferred by Part III and for any other purpose.
(2) The power conferred by clause (1) to issue
directions, orders or writs to any Government, authority or
person may also be exercised by any High Court exercising
jurisdiction in relation to the territories within which the
cause of action , wholly or in part, arises for the exercise
of such power, notwithstanding that the seat of such
Government or authority or the residence of such person is
not within those territories.
(3) Where any party against whom an interim order, whether
by way of injunction or stay or in any other manner, is made
on, or in any proceedings relating to, a petition under
clause (1), without-
(a) furnishing to such party copies of such petition and all
documents in support of the plea for such interim order; and
(b) giving such party an opportunity of being heard, makes
an application to the High Court for the vacation of such
order and furnishes a copy of such application to the party
in whose favour such order has been made or the counsel of
such party, the High Court shall dispose of the application
within a period of two weeks from the date on which it is
received or from the date on which the copy of such
application is so furnished, whichever is later, or where
the High Court is closed on the last day of that period,
before the expiry of the next day afterwards on which the
High Court is open; and if the application is not so
disposed of, the interim order shall, on the expiry of that
period, or , as the case may be, the expiry of the aid next
day, stand vacated.
(4) The power conferred on a High Court by this Article
shall not be in derogation of the power conferred on the
Supreme court by clause (2) of Article 32.
Habeas Corpus literally means 'to have the body of'. Via this writ, the court can cause any person who has been detained or imprisoned to be physically brought before the court. The court then examines the reason of his detention and if there is no legal justification of his detention, he can be set free. Such a writ can be issued in following example cases:
- When the person is detained and not produced before the magistrate within 24 hours
- When the person is arrested without any violation of a law.
- When a person is arrested under a law which is unconstitutional
- When detention is done to harm the person or is malafide.
Thus, Habeas corpus writ is called bulwark of individual liberty against arbitrary detention. A general rule of filing the petition is that a person whose right has been infringed must file a petition. But Habeas corpus is an exception and anybody on behalf of the detainee can file a petition. Habeas corpus writ is applicable to preventive detention also. This writ can be issued against both public authorities as well as individuals.
Mandamus means “we command”. This writ is a command issued by court to a public official, public body, corporation, inferior court, tribunal or government asking them to perform their duties which they have refused to perform. Due to this, Mandamus is called a “wakening call” and it awakes the sleeping authorities to perform their duty. Mandamus thus demands an activity and sets the authority in action. Mandamus cannot be issued against the following:
-a private individual or private body. -
-if the duty in question is discretionary and not mandatory. -
-against president or governors of state
-against a working chief justice
-to enforce some kind of private contract.
A petition for writ of mandamus can be filed by any person who seeks a legal duty to be performed by a person or a body. Such a filing person must have real or special interest in the subject matter and must have legal right to do so.
The writ of prohibition means that the Supreme Court and High Courts may prohibit the lower courts such as special tribunals, magistrates, commissions, and other judiciary officers who are doing something which exceeds to their jurisdiction or acting contrary to the rule of natural justice. For example if a judicial officer has personal interest in a case, it may hamper the decision and the course of natural justice.
-While Mandamus directs activity, Prohibition directs inactivity.
-While Mandamus can be issued against any public official, public body, corporation, inferior court, tribunal or government; prohibition can be issued only against judicial and quasi-judicial authorities and NOT against administrative authorities, legislative bodies
Certiorari means to “certify”. It's a writ that orders to move a suit from an inferior court to superior court. It is issued by a higher court to a lower court or tribunal either to transfer a case pending with that to itself or squash its order. This is generally done because superior court believes that either the inferior court had no jurisdiction or committed an error of law. Thus, certiorari is a kind of curative writ.
Quo warranto means “by what warrant”? This writ is issued to enquire into legality of the claim of a person or public office. It restrains the person or authority to act in an office which he / she is not entitled to; and thus stops usurpation of public office by anyone. This writ is applicable to the public offices only and not to private offices.
(1) Every High Court shall have superintendence over all
courts and tribunals throughout the territories
interrelation to which it exercises jurisdiction.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing
provisions, the High Court may -
(a) call for returns from such courts;
(b) make and issue general rules and prescribe forms for
regulating the practice and proceedings of such courts; and
(c) prescribe forms in which books, entries and accounts
shall be kept by the officers of any such courts.
(3) The High Court may also settle tables of fees to be
allowed to the sheriff and all clerks and officers of such
courts and to attorneys, advocates and pleaders practicing
therein:
Provided that any rules made, forms prescribed or tables
settled under clause (2) or clause (3) shall not be
inconsistent with the provision of any law for the time
being in force, and shall require the previous approval of
the Governor.
(4) Nothing in this Article shall be deemed to confer on a
High Court powers of superintendence over any court or
tribunal constituted by or under any law relating to the
Armed Forces.