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Thursday, 12 November 2026 Judgments, law jobs and study notes, written by a practising advocate
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 · Chapter XXVII: Provisions As To Accused Persons Of Unsound Mind

Section 377 BNSS: Procedure where person of unsound mind detained is declared fit to be released

Corresponding CrPC
Section 338 CrPC

Bare Act text

(1) If a person is detained under the provisions of sub-section (2) of section 369, or section 374, and such InspectorGeneral or visitors shall certify that, in his or their judgment, he may be released without danger of his doing injury to himself or to any other person, the State Government may thereupon order him to be released, or to be detained in custody, or to be transferred to a public mental health establishment if he has not been already sent to such establishment; and, in case it orders him to be transferred to a public mental health establishment, may appoint a Commission, consisting of a Judicial and two medical officers.

(2) Such Commission shall make a formal inquiry into the state of mind of such person, take such evidence as is necessary, and shall report to the State Government, which may order his release or detention as it thinks fit.

Text as enacted in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (Act No. 46 of 2023), in force from 1 July 2024. Source: India Code, Government of India.

In simple words

If a person detained under section 369(2) or 374 is certified to be releasable without danger of injury to himself or others, the State Government may order him released, detained in custody or transferred to a public mental health establishment. The section also provides for further inquiry by a commission and its consequences.

Chapter XXVII: Provisions As To Accused Persons Of Unsound Mind

  1. 367 Procedure in case of accused being person of unsound mind
  2. 368 Procedure in case of person of unsound mind tried before Court
  3. 369 Release of person of unsound mind pending investigation or trial
  4. 370 Resumption of inquiry or trial
  5. 371 Procedure on accused appearing before Magistrate or Court
  6. 372 When accused appears to have been of sound mind
  7. 373 Judgment of acquittal on ground of unsoundness of mind
  8. 374 Person acquitted on ground of unsoundness of mind to be detained in safe custody
  9. 375 Power of State Government to empower officer in charge to discharge
  10. 376 Procedure where prisoner of unsound mind is reported capable of making his defence
  11. 377 Procedure where person of unsound mind detained is declared fit to be released
  12. 378 Delivery of person of unsound mind to care of relative or friend