law: Children Act, 1960
  15. Inquiry by Board regarding neglected children
  (1) When a person
  
  alleged to be a neglected child is produced before a Board, it shall examine
  
  the police officer or the authorized 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 make 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 make 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, 3[or a
  
  place of safety] 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 until 3[or unable] to exercise or does not exercise
  
  proper care and control over the child