15. Inquiry by Board regarding neglected children.-
(1)When a person alleged to a neglected child is produced before a Board, it shall examine the police officer or the authorised 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 made 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 made 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 [or a place of safety] [Inserted by Act 15 of 1978, section 13] 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 unfit [or unable] [Inserted by Act 15 of 1978, section 13] to exercise or does not exercise proper care and control over the child.
