Higher Judiciary: Supreme Court and High Courts: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Polity)

Explanation

Option (c) is correct: Article 131 of the Constitution of India confers original and exclusive jurisdiction on the Supreme court of India which covers adjudication of the disputes between - (a) the Centre and one or more states; or (b) the Centre and any state or states on one side and one or more states on the other; or (c) Between two or more states. Options (a), (b) and (d) are incorrect:

The Supreme Court hears appeals against decisions of High Courts and other lower courts under the Appellate Jurisdiction (Article 132 to Article 136). The President of India can seek the Supreme Court’s opinion on constitutional or legal matters under the Advisory Jurisdiction (Article 143). Constitutional Jurisdiction refers to the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in cases related to the interpretation and enforcement of the Constitution, especially in matters involving constitutional validity.

Explanation

Article 227 grants High Courts the power of superintendence over all subordinate courts and tribunals within their jurisdiction. For this purpose the Chief Justice of a HC has to take decisions of administrative nature. When the Chief Justice of a High Court acts in an administrative capacity, his actions can be subject to judicial scrutiny under Article 226 of the Indian Constitution, and a bench of the High Court may examine such matters. Article 226 of the Indian Constitution empowers High Courts to issue certain writs to enforce the rights of individuals. The Supreme Court issues writs under article 32. Habeas Corpus To release a person unlawfully detained. Mandamus To compel a public authority to perform its duty. Prohibition To prevent lower courts from exceeding their jurisdiction. Certiorari To transfer a matter from a lower court to a higher court. Quo Warranto To challenge the legality of a person’s claim to a public office.