Delinquent child undergoing sentence at the commencement of the Act.

In any area in which this Act is brought into force, the Government may direct that a delinquent child who is undergoing any sentence of imprisonment at the commencement of this Act shall, in lieu of undergoing such sentence, be sent to a special school or be kept in safe custody in such place and manner as the Government think fit, for the remainder of the period of the sentence; and the provisions of this Act shall apply to the child as if he had been ordered by a children's court to be sent to such special school or as the case may be, ordered to be detained under sub-section (2) of section 21.