Procedure in case of accused being lunatic, Procedure in case of person of unsound mind tried before Court and Release of lunatic pending investigation or trial are defined under Section 328, 329 and 330 of CRPC 1973. Provision under these sections are:
Section 328 of CRPC "Procedure in case of accused being lunatic"
(1) When a Magistrate holding an inquiry has reason to believe that the person against whom the inquiry is being held is of unsound mind and consequently incapable of making his defence, the Magistrate shall inquire into the fact of such unsoundness of mind, and shall cause such person to be examined by the civil surgeon of the district or such other medical officer as the State Government may direct, and thereupon shall examine such surgeon or other officer as a witness, and shall reduce the examination to writing.
1[(1A) If the civil surgeon finds the accused to be of unsound mind, he shall refer such person to a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist for care, treatment and prognosis of the condition and the psychiatrist or clinical psychologist, as the case may be, shall inform the Magistrate whether the accused is suffering from unsoundness of mind or mental retardation:
Provided that if the accused is aggrieved by the information given by the psychiatric or clinical psychologist, as the case may be, to the Magistrate, he may prefer an appeal before the Medical Board which shall consist of
(a) head of psychiatry unit in the nearest government hospital; and
(b) a faculty member in psychiatry in the nearest medical college.]
(2) Pending such examination and inquiry, the Magistrate may deal with such person in accordance with the provisions of section 330.
2[(3) If such Magistrate is informed that the person referred to in sub-section (1A) is a person of unsound mind, the Magistrate shall further determine whether the unsoundness of mind renders the accused incapable of entering defence and if the accused is found so incapable, the Magistrate shall record a finding to that effect, and shall examine the record of evidence produced by the prosecution and after hearing the advocate of the accused but without questioning the accused, if he finds that no prima facie case is made out against the accused, he shall, instead of postponing the enquiry, discharge the accused and deal with him in the manner provided under section 330:
Provided that if the Magistrate finds that a prima facie case is made out against the accused in respect of whom a finding of unsoundness of mind is arrived at, he shall postpone the proceeding for such period, as in the opinion of the psychiatrist or clinical psychologist, is required for the treatment of the accused, and order the accused to be dealt with as provided under section 330.
(4) If such Magistrate is informed that the person referred to in sub-section (1A) is a person with mental retardation, the Magistrate shall further determine whether the mental retardation renders the accused incapable of entering defence, and if the accused is found so incapable, the Magistrate shall order closure of the inquiry and deal with the accused in the manner provided under section 330.]
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1. Ins. by Act 5 of 2009, s. 25 (w.e.f. 31-12-2009).
2. Subs. by s. 25, ibid., for sub-section (3) (w.e.f. 31-12-2009).
Section 329 of CRPC "Procedure in case of person of unsound mind tried before Court"
(1) If at the trial of any person before a Magistrate or Court of Session, it appears to the Magistrate or Court that such person is of unsound mind and consequently incapable of making his defence, the Magistrate or Court shall, in the first instance, try the fact of such unsoundness and incapacity, and if the Magistrate or Court, after considering such medical and other evidence as may be produced before him or it, is satisfied of the fact, he or it shall record a finding to that effect and shall postpone further proceedings in the case.
1[(1A) If during trial, the Magistrate or Court of Sessions finds the accused to be of unsound mind, he or it shall refer such person to a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist for care and treatment, and the psychiatrist or clinical psychologist, as the case may be shall report to the Magistrate or Court whether the accused is suffering from unsoundness of mind:
Provided that if the accused is aggrieved by the information given by the psychiatric or clinical psychologist, as the case may be, to the Magistrate, he may prefer an appeal before the Medical Board which shall consist of-
(a) head of psychiatry unit in the nearest government hospital; and
(b) a faculty member in psychiatry in the nearest medical college.]
2[(2) If such Magistrate or Court is informed that the person referred to in sub-section (1A) is a person of unsound mind, the Magistrate or Court shall further determine whether unsoundness of mind renders the accused incapable of entering defence and if the accused is found so incapable, the Magistrate or Court shall record a finding to that effect and shall examine the record of evidence produced by the prosecution and after hearing the advocate of the accused but without questioning the accused, if the Magistrate or Court finds that no prima facie case is made out against the accused, he or it shall, instead of postponing the trial, discharge the accused and deal with him in the manner provided under section 330:
Provided that if the Magistrate or Court finds that a prima facie case is made out against the accused in respect of whom a finding of unsoundness of mind is arrived at, he shall postpone the trial for such period, as in the opinion of the psychiatrist or clinical psychologist, is required for the treatment of the accused.
(3) If the Magistrate or Court finds that a prima facie case is
made out against the accused and he is incapable of entering defence by
reason of mental retardation, he or it shall not hold the trial and order
the accused to be dealt with in accordance with section 330.]
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1. Ins. by s. 26, ibid. (w.e.f. 31-12-2009)
2. Subs. by s. 26, ibid., for sub-section (2), (w.e.f. 31-12-2009).
Section 330 of CRPC "Release of lunatic pending investigation or trial"
(1) Whenever a person if found under section 328 or section 329 to be incapable of entering defence by reason of unsoundness of mind or mental retardation, the Magistrate or Court, as the case may be shall, whether the case is one in which bail may be taken or not, order release of such person on bail:
Provided that the accused is suffering from unsoundness of mind or mental retardation which does not mandate in-patient treatment and a friend or relative undertakes to obtain regular out-patient psychiatric treatment from the nearest medical facility and to prevent from doing injury to himself or to any other person.
(2) If the case is one in which, in the opinion of the Magistrate or Court, as the case may be, bail cannot be granted or if an appropriate undertaking is not given, he or it shall order the accused to be kept in such a place where regular psychiatric treatment can be provided, and shall report the action taken to the State Government:
Provided that no order for the detention of the accused in a lunatic asylum
shall be made otherwise than in accordance with such rules as the State
Government may have made under the Mental Health Act, 1987 (14 of 1987).
(3) Whenever a person is found under section 328 or section 329 to be
incapable of entering defence by reason of unsoundness of mind or mental
retardation, the Magistrate or Court, as the case may be, shall keeping in
view the nature of the act committed and the extent of unsoundness of mind
or mental retardation, further determine if the release of the accused can
be ordered:
Provided that--
(a) if on the basis of medical opinion or opinion of a specialist, the
Magistrate or Court, as the case may be, decide to order discharge of the
accused, as provided under section 328 or section 329, such release may be
ordered, if sufficient security is given that the accused shall be prevented
from doing injury to himself or to any other person;
(b) if the Magistrate
or Court, as the case may be, is of opinion that discharge of the accused
cannot be ordered, the transfer of the accused to a residential facility for
persons of unsound mind or mental retardation may be ordered wherein the
accused may be provided care and appropriate education and training.]
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1. Subs. by Act 5 of 2009, s. 27, for section 330 (w.e.f. 31-12-2009).
PROVISIONS AS TO ACCUSED PERSONS OF UNSOUND MIND
PROVISIONS AS TO OFFENCES AFFECTING THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE