s 254 Procedure when person confined under section 249 or released under section 249 or 255(1) is reported able to make defence
254.—(1) If a person, who is confined pursuant to an order under section 249(9)(b) or (c)(i) or released pursuant to an order under section 249(2) or (9)(c)(ii) or 255(1)(b), is certified by the principal officer and 2 of the visitors of the psychiatric institution to be capable of making his or her defence, the court must proceed with the inquiry or trial or other proceeding (as the case may be) and the certificate is admissible as evidence.[33/2012] [Act 19 of 2018 wef 15/11/2022] (2) Where after the trial is proceeded with against the person mentioned in subsection (1) —(a) the person is acquitted at the end of the trial; or (b) the charge against the person is withdrawn at any time after the commencement of the trial, the court may, after due inquiry, send the person to a designated medical practitioner at a psychiatric institution for treatment and the person may thereafter be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Act 2008. (3) An order made by the court under section 249(2) or by the Minister under section 249(9)(b) or (c)(i) or (ii) or 255(1)(b) —(a) remains in force while the trial is proceeded with against a person mentioned in subsection (1); and (b) lapses only after —(i) the person is convicted of an offence, or is acquitted, at the end of the trial; or (ii) the charge against the person is withdrawn at any time after the commencement of the trial.[Act 19 of 2018 wef 15/11/2022]