A ________ is issued to prevent an inferior court or tribunal from exceeding its jurisdiction, which is not legally vested, or acting without jurisdiction or acting against the principles of natural justice.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
The correct answer is option 3 i.e. writ of prohibition.
A writ of prohibition is issued by a superior court to prevent an inferior court or tribunal from exceeding its jurisdiction, acting without jurisdiction, or violating the principles of natural justice. It serves as a preventive remedy, issued before the proceedings are completed, to stop illegal or unauthorized actions. This writ ensures that lower courts or quasi-judicial bodies operate within their legal limits and do not misuse their authority. The writ of prohibition is primarily used to safeguard the rights of individuals from being harmed by unlawful judicial or quasi-judicial proceedings. It can be sought when a court or tribunal is about to hear a case it has no power to try, or when due process has not been followed. Unlike a writ of certiorari, which is corrective, the writ of prohibition is preventive in nature. It helps uphold the rule of law and reinforces the system of checks and balances in the judicial framework.