- [Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, the period of detention in the case of a boy under the age of fifteen years, and in the case of a girl under the age of seventeen years shall be such as will result in the boy being detained until he reaches the age of eighteen years and the girl being detained until she completes the age of twenty years :Provided that, the period of detention, in the case of a boy of over fifteen years of age, shall be not less than two years, and in the case of a girl of over seventeen years of age, shall be not less than two years :] [This portion was substituted for the portion beginning with the words' 'Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act' and ending with the words 'not less than two years' by Maharashtra 54 of 1975, Section 48.]Provided further that, where special circumstances exist and the interest of the child so demands, it shall be open to the court for reasons to be recorded in writing, to pass an order for a shorter period of detention.
