BNSS 374 — Person acquitted on ground of unsoundness of mind to be detained in safe custody.

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Statutory 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 sub-
section (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).

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