Whenever any person is acquitted upon the ground that, at the time at which he is alleged to have committed an offence, he was, by reason of unsoundness of mind, incapable of knowing the nature of the act alleged as constituting the offence, or that it was wrong or contrary to law, the finding shall state specifically whether he committed the act or not.
Section 373 BNSS: Judgment of acquittal on ground of unsoundness of mind
- Corresponding CrPC
- Section 334 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
When a person is acquitted on the ground that, owing to unsoundness of mind, he was incapable of knowing the nature of the act or that it was wrong or contrary to law, the finding must state specifically whether he committed the act.
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