Order in case of lunatic cruelly treated or not under proper care and control

Order in case of lunatic cruelly treated or not under proper care and control.—

1. (1) If it appears to the Magistrate, on the report of a police-officer or the information of any other person, that any person within the limits of his jurisdiction deemed to be a lunatic is not under proper care and control or is cruelly treated or neglected by any relative or other person having the charge of him, the Magistrate may cause the alleged lunatic to be produced before him, and summon such relative or other person as has or ought to have the charge of him.
2. (2) If such relative or other person is legally bound to maintain the alleged lunatic, the Magistrate may make an order for such alleged lunatic being properly cared for and treated, and, if such relative or other person wilfully neglects to comply with the said order, the Magistrate may sentence him to imprisonment for a term with may extend to one month.
3. (3) If there is no person legally bound to maintain the alleged lunatic, or if the Magistrate thinks fit so to do, he may proceed as prescribed in section 14, and upon being satisfied in manner aforesaid that the person deemed to be a lunatic is a lunatic and a proper person to be detained under care and treatment may, if a medical officer gives a medical certificate with regard to such lunatic, make a reception order for the admission of such lunatic into an asylum.