Lunacy of accused
Section 144 of the Air Force Act, 1950 deals with lunacy of accused. Whenever, in the course of a trial by a court-martial, it appears to the court that the person charged is by reason of unsoundness of mind incapable of making his defence, or that he committed the act alleged but was by reason of unsoundness of mind incapable of knowing the nature of the act or know The Act came into force on 22 Jul 1950.
(1) Whenever, in the course of a trial by a court-martial, it appears to the court that the person charged is by reason of unsoundness of mind incapable of making his defence, or that he committed the act alleged but was by reason of unsoundness of mind incapable of knowing the nature of the act or knowing that it was wrong or contrary to law, the court shall record a finding accordingly.
(2) The presiding officer of the court shall forthwith report the case to the confirming officer. (3) The confirming officer to whom the case is reported under sub-section (2) may, if he does not confirm the finding, take steps to have the accused person tried by the same or another court-martial for the offence with which he was charged.
(4) A confirming officer confirming a finding in any case so reported to him under sub-section (2) shall order the accused person to be kept in custody in the prescribed manner and shall report the case for the orders of the Central Government.
(5) On receipt of a report under sub-section (4) the Central Government may order the accused person to be detained in a lunatic asylum or other suitable place of safe custody.
Section 144, The Air Force Act, 1950 (Act 45 of 1950).
Cross-references
Extracted from the operative text of the enactments themselves. Every destination below exists in our corpus.
Judgments citing this section
These may be obiter dicta or a precedent, for you to study. These are the judgments where this section is quoted.
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… Section:27 - Admission and detention of mentally ill prisoner: An order under section 30 of the Prisoners Act, 1900, or under section 144 of the Air Force Act, 1950, or under section 145 of the Army Act, 1950, or under section 143 or section 144 of the Navy Act, 1957, or under section 330 or section 335 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, directing the reception of a mentally ill prisoner into any psychiatric hospital or psychiatric nursing home, …
Questions about Section 144
What does Section 144 of the Air Force Act deal with?
Section 144 of the Air Force Act is headed "Lunacy of accused". Whenever, in the course of a trial by a court-martial, it appears to the court that the person charged is by reason of unsoundness of mind incapable of making his defence, or that he committed the act alleged but was by reason of unsoundness of mind incapable of knowing the nature of the act or know
How do I find court cases under Section 144 of the Air Force Act?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Air Force Act 1950 144, section 144 Air Force Act 1950, section 144 of the Air Force Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome.
What should I read with Section 144 of the Air Force Act, and has it changed?
5 other provisions in this corpus refer back to it.
When did Section 144 of the Air Force Act come into force?
Section 144 of the Air Force Act, cited as Air Force Act 1950 144, came into force on 22 Jul 1950, having been enacted on 18 May 1950. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 4. Definitions981 words
- 141. Presumption as to certain documents492 words
- 92. Deductions from pay and allowances of airmen414 words
- 91. Deductions from pay and allowances of officers414 words
- 34. Offences in relation to the enemy and punishable with death396 words
- 32. Priority in respect of Air Force personnel's litigation301 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 15 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.