Bail and custody of children

(1) When a child accused of any non-bailable offence is arrested, or is brought before a children's court, such person shall, notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (Central Act 5 of 1898), or in any other law for the time being in force, be released on bail with or without surety but he shall not be so released if there appear reasonable grounds for believing that the release is likely to bring him into association with any reputed criminal or that his release would defeat the purpose of this Act. (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), when a child, who is a girl, is arrested on a charge of a non-bailable offence and cannot be brought forthwith before a court, the officer-in-charge of a police station who effects the arrest or before whom the girl is produced shall release her at once, if any person enters into a bond in such form and with such surety as in his opinion is a sufficient surety and enters into a bond for such sum of money as the officer considers sufficient to produce her before the court and to appear in her stead if required at the police station.