Section 334 CrPC: Judgment of acquittal on ground of unsoundness of mind

Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Section 334 CrPC at a Glance

Section 334 CrPC deals with judgment of acquittal on ground of unsoundness of mind. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 373 BNSS.

Now BNSS

Section 373 →

What Section 334 CrPC Says

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.

Source: Section 334, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Section 334 CrPC in Simple Words

Section 334 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 is about an acquittal on the ground of unsoundness of mind.

Whenever a person is acquitted upon the ground that, at the time at which the person is alleged to have committed an offence, the person 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 the person committed the act or not.

When Section 334 CrPC Applies

  • The section applies whenever a person is acquitted upon the ground of unsoundness of mind.
  • The ground is that, at the time at which the person is alleged to have committed an offence, the person 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 the person committed the act or not.

Example of Section 334 CrPC

Vikram is acquitted upon the ground that, at the time at which Vikram is alleged to have committed the offence, Vikram was, by reason of unsoundness of mind, incapable of knowing the nature of the act alleged as constituting the offence. Under Section 334 CrPC, the finding shall state specifically whether Vikram committed the act or not.

When Section 334 CrPC Does Not Apply

  • Section 334 CrPC speaks of the finding on an acquittal on the ground of unsoundness of mind. It does not deal with the detention of a person acquitted on that ground. Section 335 CrPC is titled Person acquitted on such ground to be detained in safe custody.

Section 334 CrPC Under BNSS 373: What Changed

Section 334 CrPC is now covered under Section 373 BNSS.

Section 334 CrPC and Section 373 BNSS have the same heading and the same text. They have no cross-references to other sections to renumber.

View detailed comparison (CrPC 334 vs BNSS 373) →

FAQs on Section 334 CrPC

What must the finding state under Section 334 CrPC?▼

Where a person is acquitted on the ground of unsoundness of mind, the finding shall state specifically whether the person committed the act or not.

On what ground must the person have been acquitted for Section 334 CrPC to apply?▼

The ground is that, at the time at which the person is alleged to have committed an offence, the person 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.

At what time must the unsoundness of mind have existed under Section 334 CrPC?▼

Section 334 CrPC speaks of the time at which the person is alleged to have committed an offence.

Where is Section 334 CrPC found in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 from 1 July 2024?▼

Section 334 CrPC has no sub-sections, and maps as a whole to Section 373 BNSS.

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Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified advocate for legal advice.

Sources: Bare Act Text, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 · Last updated: 20 Oct 2026 ·