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Wednesday, 11 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 374 BNSS: Person acquitted on ground of unsoundness of mind to be detained in safe custody

Corresponding CrPC
Section 335 CrPC

Bare Act text

(1) Whenever the finding states that the accused person committed the act alleged, the Magistrate or Court before whom or which the trial has been held, shall, if such act would, but for the incapacity found, have constituted an offence,—

(a) order such person to be detained in safe custody in such place and manner as the Magistrate or Court thinks fit; or

(b) order such person to be delivered to any relative or friend of such person.

(2) No order for the detention of the accused in a public mental health establishment shall be made under clause (a) of sub-section (1) otherwise than in accordance with such rules as the State Government may have made under the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 (10 of 2017).

(3) No order for the delivery of the accused to a relative or friend shall be made under clause (b) of subsection (1) except upon the application of such relative or friend and on his giving security to the satisfaction of the Magistrate or Court that the person delivered shall—

(a) be properly taken care of and prevented from doing injury to himself or to any other person;

(b) be produced for the inspection of such officer, and at such times and places, as the State Government may direct.

(4) The Magistrate or Court shall report to the State Government the action taken under sub-section (1).

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

Where the finding states that the accused committed the act, the Magistrate or Court, if the act would otherwise have been an offence, orders him detained in safe custody in a place and manner it thinks fit, or delivered to a relative or friend. The section adds further rules on such detention.

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