Section 369.   Release of person of unsound mind pending investigation or trial.

(1) Whenever a person if found under section 367 or section 368 to be incapable
of entering defence by reason of mental illness, 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 mental illness 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 public mental health
establishment shall be made otherwise than in accordance with such rules as the State
Government may have made under the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017.
(3) Whenever a person is found under section 367 or section 368 to be incapable of
entering defence by reason of mental illness, the Magistrate or Court, as the case may be,
shall keeping in view the nature of the act committed and the extent of mental illness, 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 367 or section 368, 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 the opinion that discharge
of the accused cannot be ordered, the transfer of the accused to a residential facility
for persons with mental illness may be ordered wherein the accused may be provided
care and appropriate education and training.