CrPC Section 334: Judgment of acquittal on ground of unsoundness of mind
Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 · Chapter 25: Provisions as - accused persons of unsound mind
Repealed on 1 July 2024 and replaced by the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS).
¶ 334. Judgment of acquittal on ground of unsoundness of mind.- 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.
Study: explanations and related material
Now BNSS 373 (corresponding section). CrPC → BNSS converterSource: BPR&D BNSS–CrPC corresponding section table (UP Police, 2024-07-03), p19
Official reference: Ministry of Home Affairs: historical CrPC reference — source link checked: 2 October 2026.Recorded edition / snapshot date: 2024-06-30.Mobile-app reference import; the recorded snapshot date is not a fresh legal-currency guarantee. The linked government text is an independent authoritative reference, not certification that this website reproduces the same edition. The source link was checked, not every provision or subsequent amendment. Check commencement notifications, savings and jurisdiction-specific variations separately. Section 135 was restored and individually checked against the linked government PDF (pages 75–76) on 2026-10-02; this is not a verification of the whole collection. Schedules and forms are not consolidated here. Historical code retained for reference; read the repeal/savings provisions in the successor code.
This text is for reference, not legal advice. Consult the official source for the authoritative text.
Other sections in this chapter
- 328. Procedure in case of accused being lunatic
- 329. Procedure in case of person of unsound mind tried before Court
- 330. Release of lunatic pending investigation or trial
- 331. Resumption of inquiry or trial
- 332. Procedure on accused appearing before Magistrate or Court
- 333. When accused appears to have been of sound mind
- 335. Person acquitted on such ground to be detained in safe custody
- 336. Power of State Government to empower officer in charge to discharge
- 337. Procedure where lunatic prisoner is reported capable of making his defence
- 338. Procedure where lunatic detained is declared fit to be released
- 339. Delivery of lunatic to care of relative or friend