(1)Any police officer, not below the rank of Sub-Inspector or a person authorized in the manner prescribed may take to a place of safety any child in respect of whom an offence punishable under this Act or under Chapter XVI of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, 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 refuge in a place of safety may be detained there until he can be brought before the court, but, 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 and the court may make such order as is mentioned in the next following sub-section or may cause the child to be dealt with as circumstances may admit and require until the charge made against any person in respect of any offence as afore aid with regard to the child has been determined by the conviction, discharge or acquittal of such person.(3)Where it appears to the Court that all offence as aforesaid has been or is likely to be committed in respect of any child who is brought before the court and that it is expedient in the interest of the child that an order should be made under this sub¬section the court may make such order as circumstances may admit and' require for the care and detention of the child until a reasonable time has elapsed for a charge to be made against some person for having committed the offence and if a charge is made against many person within that time, until the charge has been determined by the conviction, discharge or acquittal of that person and in case of conviction for such for the time not exceeding one month as the court, which convicted, may direct and any such order may be carried out notwithstanding that and person claims the custody of the child.
