A writ is an extraordinary jurisdiction of the High Courts and the Supreme Court to compel carrying out of public and sovereign function by the state or its organs and agencies including private bodies. Now-a-days private bodies such as sports bodies etc discharge public functions in many jurisdictions.
The following Writ Remedies are available in India:-
Habeas Corpus- It is an order calling upon the person who has detained another person to produce the latter before the Court so that the Court knows on what grounds he has been detained and to set him free if there is no legal justification for such detention.
Mandamus- This writ orders a person to perform some public or quasi-public legal duty which he has refused to perform.
Prohibition- This writ is issued by the Court to an inferior court forbidding the latter to continue proceedings in a case which is not within its jurisdiction. It may also be issued in cases where the Court assumes jurisdiction under a law which contravenes any fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution.
Certiorari- The Writ of Certiorari is issued to an inferior court after a case has been decided by it, quashing such decision or order
Quo-warranto- It is a proceeding by which the Court enquires into the legality of a claim which a party asserts to a public office.
