Which of the following writs prevents illegal usurpation of public office by a person?

The correct answer is option 2, i.e. Quo-Warranto.

• Quo-Warranto literally means ‘by what warrant’.
  • It is issued by the court to enquire into the legality of claim of a person to a public office.

• Prohibition literally means ‘to forbid’.
  • It is issued by a higher court to a lower court or tribunal to prevent the latter from exceeding its jurisdiction.
• Mandamus literally means ‘we command’.
  • It is a command issued by the court to a public official asking him to perform his official duties that he has failed or refused to perform.
• Certiorari literally means ‘to be certified’.
  • It is issued by a higher court to a lower court or a tribunal either to transfer a case pending with the latter to itself or to squash the order of the latter in a case.