- (I) When a child is arrested or detained on a charge for any offence, whether bailable or not, or appears or is brought before a Court, such child may be released on bail with or without sureties, but he shall not be so released if there appear reasonable grounds for believing that the release is likely to bring him under the influence of any criminal or expose him to moral danger or defeat the ends of justice.(2)When such a child 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 a reception home in the prescribed manner, but not in the police-station or jail, until he can be brought before a Court:Provided that such child shall be produced before the nearest Court having jurisdiction within a period of twenty-four hours of such arrest excluding the time necessary for the journey from the place of arrest to(3)When such child is nor released on bail under sub-section (1) by the Court, it shall, instead of committing hint to prison, order him to be sent to a reception home during the pendency of the inquiry into the charge against him.
