The Judiciary — Important Questions

Impeachment

Step 1: Supreme Court judges have strong protection to ensure their independence. Step 2: They can only be removed by the President, but only on grounds of 'proved misbehaviour' or 'incapacity'. Step 3: This removal requires a special majority in both Houses of Parliament. Step 4: The process of removing a judge in this manner is called Impeachment. Step 5: Dissolution refers to ending Parliament, suspension and dismissal are informal terms not used constitutionally for judges. So Impeachment is the correct answer.

Original Jurisdiction

Step 1: The Supreme Court has two main types of judicial powers — original and appellate. Step 2: 'Original Jurisdiction' means the authority to hear a case for the first time. Step 3: Cases involving interpretation of the Constitution, disputes between Centre and States, and violations of Fundamental Rights can be directly filed in the Supreme Court under Original Jurisdiction. Step 4: Appellate Jurisdiction is when the Supreme Court hears a case that has already gone through lower courts. Advisory Jurisdiction is when the President seeks the court's opinion. So Original Jurisdiction is corre

Personal Freedom

Step 1: 'Habeas Corpus' is a Latin term meaning 'to have the body of'. Step 2: By issuing this writ, the court can get the body (person) of any individual released if he or she has been unlawfully captured. Step 3: This makes it a great safeguard for the personal freedom of a citizen. Step 4: It has nothing to do with property, education, or voting rights. Step 5: Remember Habeas Corpus = protection of personal liberty and freedom from unlawful detention.

We command

Step 1: Each writ has a specific Latin meaning that helps us understand its purpose. Step 2: 'Mandamus' literally means 'we command'. Step 3: It is a command issued by a higher court to a lower court or government authority that has refused to perform its duty. Step 4: 'To be certified' is Certiorari, 'to forbid' is Prohibition, and 'by what authority' is Quo Warranto. Step 5: So 'We command' is the correct meaning of Mandamus.