(1) If any police officer, or other person authorised by the Government in this behalf by general or special order, (hereafter in this Chapter referred to as the „authorised person‟) is of opinion that a person is apparently a neglected child, such police officer or authorised person may take charge of that child for bringing him before a Board.
(2) When information is given to an officer incharge of a police station about any neglected child found within the limits of such station, he shall enter in a book to be kept for the purpose, the substance of such information and take such action thereon as he deems fit and if such officer does not propose to take charge of the child, he shall forward a copy of the entry made and a report of the action taken to the Board.
(3) Every child taken charge of under sub-section (1) shall be brought before the Board within a period of twentyfour hours of taking such charge excluding the time Supervision and control of probation officers.
Production of neglected children before the Board.
[Act No.26 of 1979] 21 necessary for the journey from the place where the child had been taken charge of to the Board.
(4) Every child taken charge of under sub-section (1) shall, unless he is kept with his parent or guardian, be sent to a place of safety, not being a police station, until he can be brought before the Board.