The Supreme Court has evolved the concept of 'continuing mandamus' to monitor implementation of rights-based directions in public interest cases by keeping the writ petition ______ and issuing periodic directions to executive agencies.
- closed
- pending
- dismissed
- transferred
Answer: pending
Continuing mandamus for rights enforcement: (a) Mechanism: Court keeps writ petition pending while issuing periodic directions to executive agencies to ensure compliance with orders in PIL cases (e.g., environmental protection, prison reforms, gender justice), (b) Features: (i) Regular reporting by agencies on progress, (ii) Court reviews implementation, issues further directions, (iii) Enables judicial monitoring without usurping executive function, (c) Applications: (i) MC Mehta cases (environmental compliance), (ii) Prakash Singh case (police reforms), (iii) Vishaka guidelines implementation (workplace harassment), (d) Balance: Judicial oversight ensures rights realization; separation of powers respected by not dictating policy details. Illustrates innovative enforcement: courts bridge gap between rights recognition and implementation through sustained engagement.