When the accused appears to be of sound mind at the time of inquiry or trial, and the Magistrate is satisfied from the evidence given before him that there is reason to believe that the accused committed an act, which, if he had been of sound mind, would have been an offence, and that he was, at the time when the act was committed, by reason of unsoundness of mind, incapable of knowing the nature of the act or that it was wrong or contrary to law, the Magistrate shall proceed with the case, and, if the accused ought to be tried by the Court of Session, commit him for trial before the Court of Session.
Section 372 BNSS: When accused appears to have been of sound mind
- Corresponding CrPC
- Section 333 CrPC
Bare Act text
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 the accused appears to be of sound mind at the time of inquiry or trial and the Magistrate is satisfied that he committed an act that would have been an offence but that, because of unsoundness of mind, he was incapable of knowing its nature or that it was wrong or contrary to law, the Magistrate proceeds as the section directs.
Chapter XXVII: Provisions As To Accused Persons Of Unsound Mind
- 367 Procedure in case of accused being person of unsound mind
- 368 Procedure in case of person of unsound mind tried before Court
- 369 Release of person of unsound mind pending investigation or trial
- 370 Resumption of inquiry or trial
- 371 Procedure on accused appearing before Magistrate or Court
- 372 When accused appears to have been of sound mind
- 373 Judgment of acquittal on ground of unsoundness of mind
- 374 Person acquitted on ground of unsoundness of mind to be detained in safe custody
- 375 Power of State Government to empower officer in charge to discharge
- 376 Procedure where prisoner of unsound mind is reported capable of making his defence
- 377 Procedure where person of unsound mind detained is declared fit to be released
- 378 Delivery of person of unsound mind to care of relative or friend