12. Production of neglected children before Boards.
(1)If any police officer, or any other person, authorised by the State Government in this behalf, by general or special order, is of the opinion that the person is apparently a neglected child, such police officer or other person may take charge of that person for bringing him before a Board.(2)When information is given to an officer-in-charge of a police station about any neglected child found within the limits of such station, he shall enter in a book to be kept for the purpose the substance of such information and take such action thereon as he deems fit and if such officer does not propose to take charge of the child he shall forward a copy of the entry so made to the Board and to such other person as may be authorised under sub-section (1).(3)Every child taken charge of under sub-section (1), shall be brought before the Board within a period of twenty-four hours of taking such charge excluding the time necessary for the journey.(4)Every child taken charge of under sub-section (1) shall, unless he is kept with his parent or guardian, be sent to an observation home (but not to a police station or jail) until he can be brought before a Board as required under sub-section (3).
