Singapore legislation

Section 84

of Penal Code 1871

Section 84

Act of person of unsound mind

Amended by15/2019

Nothing is an offence which is done by a person who, at the time of doing it, by reason of unsoundness of mind, is —

(a)

incapable of knowing the nature of the act;

(b)

incapable of knowing that what he is doing is wrong (whether wrong by the ordinary standards of reasonable and honest persons or wrong as contrary to law); or

(c)

completely deprived of any power to control his actions.Illustration A, while labouring under a delusion, believes that he has received divine instructions to kill Z and that it is morally right for him to do so. A however knows that it is contrary to law to kill Z. A kills Z. Here, the defence of unsoundness of mind is not available to A as he is capable of knowing that it is contrary to law to kill Z.

Read in full context — Penal Code 1871 →