Section 78 of Bombay Children Act, 1948

Detention of child in place of safety. - (1) Any police officer, not below the rank of sub-inspector [or Child Welfare Officer (Probation)] or a police officer or a person authorised in this behalf in accordance with rules made by the [State] Government may take to a place of safety any child in respect of whom an offence 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 refuse in a place of safety may be detained until he can be brought before the Court : Provided that, 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. (3) The court may thereupon make such order as hereinafter provided.