Important Legal Definitions

"We command." A constitutional writ issued by a High Court or the Supreme Court compelling a public officer, statutory body, or government authority to perform a mandatory statutory duty that they have refused, neglected, or failed to perform.

In Gujarat State Financial Corporation v. Lotus Hotels, the state financial corporation arbitrarily refused to disburse an already-sanctioned industrial loan, causing construction to halt; the Supreme Court issued a writ of Mandamus directing the corporation to disburse the funds as legally promised.