Children Act, 1960
15. Inquiry by Board regarding neglected children
(1) When a person
alleged to be a neglected child is produced before a Board, it shall examine
the police officer or the authorized person who brought the child or made the report
and record the substance of such examination and hold the inquiry in the
prescribed manner and may make such orders in relation to the child as it may
deem fit.
(2) Where a Board is
satisfied on inquiry that a child is a neglected child and that it is expedient
so to deal with him, the Board may make an order directing the child to be sent
to a children's home for the period until he ceases to be a child:
Provided that the Board may,
for reasons to be recorded, extend the period of such stay, but in no case the
period of stay shall extend beyond the time when the child attains the age of
eighteen years, in the case of a boy, or twenty years, in the case of a girl :
Provided further that the Board
may, if it is satisfied that having regard to the circumstances of the case it
is expedient so to do, for reasons to be recorded, reduce the period of stay to
such period as it thinks fit.
(3) During the
pendency of any inquiry regarding a child, the child shall, unless he is kept
with his parent or guardian, be sent to an observation home, 3[or a
place of safety] for such period as may be specified in the order of the Board:
Provided that no child shall be
kept with his parent or guardian if, in the opinion of the Board, such parent
or guardian is until 3[or unable] to exercise or does not exercise
proper care and control over the child