(1)Any police officer, not below the rank of sub-inspector [or Child Welfare Officer (Probation)] [These words and brackets were inserted by Maharashtra 54 of 1975, Section 42.] or a police officer or a person authorised in this behalf in accordance with rules made by the [State] [These words was substituted for the word 'Provincial' by the Adaptation of Laws Order, 1950.] Government may take to a place of safety any child in respect of whom an offence has been, or there is reason to believe has been, or is likely to be committed.(2)A child so taken to a place of safety and also any child, who seeks refuse in a place of safety may be detained until he can be brought before the Court :Provided that, such detention shall not in the absence of a special order of the court exceed a period of twenty-four hours exclusive of the time necessary for the journey from the place of detention to the court.(3)The court may thereupon make such order as hereinafter provided.
