Important Legal Definitions
Explore legal terms, clear definitions and practical examples.
Mandamus for Police Inaction
Prerogative Writs & Extraordinary Remedies
Definition
A writ of Mandamus sought under Article 226 by a crime victim directing the police to perform their statutory duty under Section 154 CrPC / Section 173 BNSS to register a First Information Report (FIR) when a cognizable offence is disclosed.
Example
In Lalita Kumari v. Government of U.P., a Constitution Bench in an Article 32 petition held that the registration of an FIR is mandatory under Section 154 if information discloses the commission of a cognizable offence, and issued directions enforcing compliance.