12. Enquiry to be made regarding the age of the offender before passing an order of detention.
(1)Before passing an order of detention under this Act, the Magistrate, District Magistrate or Court, as the case may be, shall enquire or cause enquiry to be made into the question of the age of the offender and after taking such evidence (if any) as may be deemed necessary or proper shall record a finding thereon.(2)A similar enquiry shall be made and finding recorded by every Magistrate not empowered to pass an order of detention under this Act before submitting his proceedings and forwarding the accused to the District Magistrate as required by sub-section (2) of Section 5 of this Act.
