RAS question
The Supreme Court's power to issue writs for enforcement of Fundamental Rights is under:
Correct answer: (A) Article 32.
Article 32 of the Constitution of India empowers the Supreme Court to issue writs for enforcing Fundamental Rights.
Explanation
Article 32 sits in Part III under the Right to Constitutional Remedies. The official text says that the right to move the Supreme Court for enforcement of rights conferred by Part III is guaranteed, and that the Supreme Court may issue appropriate directions, orders or writs for that enforcement. The writs named in the explanation are habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, certiorari and quo warranto. This is why Article 32 is not just a procedural provision: it makes the Supreme Court the constitutional forum for direct enforcement of Fundamental Rights. Dr. Ambedkar's description of it as the Constitution's soul and heart captures that centrality.
Why the other options are wrong
- (B) Article 226 concerns writ jurisdiction of the High Courts, whereas the question asks about the Supreme Court's power to enforce Fundamental Rights by writs.
- (C) Article 142 empowers the Supreme Court to pass decrees for complete justice, not to issue writs for enforcement of Fundamental Rights.
- (D) Article 136 deals with Special Leave Petitions, so it is a route of appellate access rather than the Supreme Court's writ power for Fundamental Rights.
Concept
This tests the Right to Constitutional Remedies and the separation between Supreme Court and High Court writ jurisdictions. RAS repeatedly asks it because Article 32 is a core guarantee within Fundamental Rights and a standard comparison point with Article 226.