What is the Article 226 of the Constitution?

Asked by: Gustave Abbott DVM  |  Last update: March 18, 2026
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Article 226 of the Indian Constitution grants High Courts broad power to issue directions, orders, or writs (like Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Certiorari, etc.) to enforce fundamental rights and other legal rights against any person, authority, or government within their jurisdiction, making it a crucial tool for judicial review and protecting citizens' rights beyond just fundamental ones, with a wider scope than the Supreme Court's power under Article 32.

What is the significance of Article 226?

Discretionary Power: Article 226 provides discretionary power under the High Courts. There, it is the duty of the Supreme Court to act if there is a violation of a fundamental right. Larger Scope: The High Courts can entertain cases even on grounds that there is a violation of a fundamental right.

What is article 226 of the Constitution?

Article 226 of the Constitution of India provides High Courts with the power to issue certain writs to any person or authority, including Government in appropriate cases for enforcing our fundamental rights provided under Part III of the Constitution, or for any other purpose.

Who can file a petition under article 226?

Both Article 32 and 226 provides means to enforce Fundamental Rights provided under the Indian Constitution. Any person whose Fundamental Rights is aggreived can file a writ in Supreme Court or High Court. Thus, writs ensure that the rights of the citizens are protected and provisions of the constitution are enforced.

What is the difference between Article 226 and 227 of the Constitution?

The power under Article 227 is a power that can be exercised only over courts and tribunals. On the other hand, the power under Article 226 is a power that can be exercised not only over courts and tribunals, but also over other bodies like the Government.

5 Types of Writs | Constitutional Remedies | Article 32 and Article 226

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Why is article 226 more powerful than article 32?

The jurisdiction of the High Court under Article 226 is wider than that of the Supreme Court under Article 32 as it can issue writs for the enforcement of other legal rights besides fundamental rights. Some of the landmark cases where the High Court used its power under Article. 24 Vishaka v.

Is Article 227 still relevant today?

Significance and Implications

Article 227 plays a vital role in maintaining uniformity, discipline, and accountability within the judicial system. Its implications include: Ensuring proper administration of justice through effective oversight. Preventing abuse of judicial power by subordinate courts and tribunals.

What does habeas corpus actually do?

In Latin, habeas corpus means “you should have the body.” It requires a judge to literally have a detainee physically present to weigh the legality of their confinement. It is the government's responsibility to prove that the individual's detention is lawful, and if it fails, the person must be freed.

What is writ of habeas corpus under Article 226?

Under Article 226 of the Constitution, an affected person can file Writ Petition before a High Court for enforcement of Fundamental Rights conferred by Part III of the Constitution as well as for enforcement of other Constitutional Rights conferred by the Constitution as also for enforcement of Legal Rights conferred ...

What is an example of a quo warranto?

For example, a quo warranto action may be brought to determine whether a public official satisfies a requirement that he or she resides in the district; or whether a public official is serving in two incompatible offices. Quo warranto is not available to decide whether an official has committed misconduct in office.

What is criminal writ petition under Article 226?

Criminal writ petitions under Article 226 are a testament to the protective legal umbrella extended by the Indian Constitution. They serve as a crucial mechanism for the redressal of grievances and the assertion of rights.

What are the powers of High Courts under Art 226?

𝑰𝒏 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒍𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝑨𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒍𝒆 𝟐𝟐𝟔 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑯𝒊𝒈𝒉 𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒖𝒆 𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒔, 𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔, 𝒐𝒓 𝒅𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒋𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝑨𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒍𝒆 𝟐𝟐𝟕 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒖𝒑𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑯𝒊𝒈𝒉 𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒃𝒖𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒋𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔.

What is the IPC 226?

IPC Section 226 - Unlawful return from transportation. Repealed by the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Act, 1955 (26 of 1955), s. 117 and Sch.

What is the significance of the number 226?

The meaning of "226" varies greatly by context, often appearing as an Angel Number (love, relationships, balance), a Building Regulation (owner responsibility for safety in Victoria, Australia), or simply a numerical value; its significance depends on whether it's seen spiritually, legally, or as a general number. 

What is the primary purpose of the writ of habeas corpus is prevent unfair searches?

Habeas corpus ensures that no person — citizen or not — can be held by the government without the right to challenge their detention before a judge. It is a cornerstone of due process. Among other things, it protects against: Indefinite detention without charge.

Why is the writ of habeas corpus an important individual right?

“Habeas corpus” is the constitutional right that ensures that people have a chance to challenge their imprisonment in front of a judge. Habeas corpus ensures that the government cannot detain someone without a lawful basis.

How many presidents have suspended habeas corpus?

Habeas corpus has been suspended a few times in U.S. history, primarily by President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War, by President Ulysses S. Grant in South Carolina during Reconstruction to combat the KKK, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in Hawaii after Pearl Harbor, and by President Theodore Roosevelt in the Philippines, involving at least four presidents in different contexts, though Lincoln's and Bush's actions have drawn significant attention and controversy. 

What are grounds for habeas corpus relief?

The following are some common grounds for writ of habeas corpus petitions:

  • Introduction of new evidence that points to your innocence.
  • Changes in the law.
  • Incompetency during trial.
  • Ineffective assistance of counsel.
  • Conviction under unconstitutional law.
  • Prosecutorial misconduct.
  • No jurisdiction.

What is the jurisdiction of Article 226?

It states that the High Court, whose territorial jurisdiction the cause of action originates under, may also have the ability to issue directives, orders, or writs to any government, authority, or person, even if their seat or place of abode is beyond the high court's territorial jurisdiction.]

Which president got rid of habeas corpus?

In that same month (April 1861), Abraham Lincoln, the president of the United States, therefore authorized his military commanders to suspend the writ of habeas corpus between Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia (and later up through New York City).

Is it hard to win a habeas corpus case?

Yes, winning a habeas corpus case is extremely difficult, with very low success rates (often less than 1-10%), because they are a narrow remedy for serious constitutional violations, not a chance to re-litigate the whole case, and face strict legal hurdles like procedural dismissals, short deadlines (often one year), and high standards requiring proof of constitutional error that fundamentally affected the conviction. 

What is the meaning of habeas corpus writ in simple words?

Habeas Corpus is a Latin word meaning which literally means 'to have the body of'. It is an order issued by the court to a person who has detained another person, to produce the body of the latter before it. The court then examines the cause and legality of detention. Further Reading: Types of Writs.

Is the Seventh Amendment still relevant today?

To be sure, the Supreme Court held more than a century ago that the Seventh Amendment's civil jury trial right is not enforceable against the states.[17] And for as long as that precedent holds, the Seventh Amendment has no more bearing on state administrative law than do the vesting clauses and the Administrative ...

What is the Article 228 of the Treaty of Versailles?

Article 228. The German Government recognises the right of the Allied and Associated Powers to bring before military tribunals persons accused of having committed acts in violation of the laws and customs of war. Such persons shall, if found guilty, be sentenced to punishments laid down by law.

What is the scope of article 227's supervisory power?

Article 227 grants the High Courts the power of superintendence over all courts and tribunals within their jurisdiction. Historically, this supervisory jurisdiction was intended for tribunals created by statute or exercising sovereign functions.