Children Act, 1960
18. Bail and custody of children
(1) When any person
accused of a bailable or non-bailable offence and apparently a child is
arrested or detained or appears or is brought before a children’s court, such
person shall, notwithstanding anything contained in the 5[Code of
Criminal Procedure, 1973], or in any other law for the time being in force, be
released on bail with or without surety but he shall not be so released if
there appear reasonable grounds for believing that the release is likely to
bring him into association with any reputed criminal or expose him to moral
danger or that his release would defeat the ends of justice.
(2) When such person
having been arrested is not released on bail under sub-section (1) by the
officer-in-charge of the police station, such officer shall cause him to be kept
in an observation home 3[or a place of safety] in the prescribed
manner (but not in a police station or jail) until be can be brought before a
children's court.
(3) When such person
is not released on bail under sub-section (1) by the children's court, it shall
instead of committing him to prison, make an order sending him to an
observation home 3[or a place of safety] for such period during the
pendency of the inquiry regarding him as may be specified in the order.