What is the legal request for relief under the Constitution referred to as?

The legal request for relief under the Constitution is referred to as a writ petition. A writ petition is a formal request to a court to issue a writ, which is an order directing someone to act or refrain from acting in a specific manner. This is particularly significant in the context of constitutional law, where individuals seek enforcement of their fundamental rights or challenge the legality of actions taken by authorities.

The writ petition can invoke various types of writs, such as Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari, and Quo Warranto, each serving different purposes related to safeguarding constitutional rights and ensuring the rule of law. Consequently, this mechanism serves as an essential tool for citizens to seek justice and protection against arbitrary actions by public authorities.

In contrast, other options like a Special Leave Petition are specific types of appeals seeking permission to move the Supreme Court of India, a Civil Suit pertains to disputes between private individuals or entities, and a Review Petition is a request to reconsider a court’s decision. These options do not directly align with the broad definition of a constitutional request for relief.