Vidhi Codex

The Odisha Children Act, 1981

The Odisha Children Act, 1981

General198268 sections3 chapters

This law governs the care, protection, and rehabilitation of children in the state of Orissa. It applies to all children under eighteen, specifically targeting those who are neglected, destitute, or have committed offenses. The Act establishes special bodies like Child Welfare Boards and Children's Courts to handle cases involving these vulnerable youths. Instead of traditional punishment, the law focuses on providing care through institutions such as children's homes, observation homes, and special schools. By creating a legal framework for their welfare, the Act ensures that children receive proper guidance, protection, and opportunities to reform rather than facing harsh penalties.

Start reading →Read full ActSections

Chapter I Chapter I →

  1. 1Short title, extent and commencement
  2. 2Definitions
  3. 3Continuation of inquiry in respect of a child who has ceased to be a child

Chapter II NEGLECTED CHILDREN →

  1. 4Child Welfare Boards
  2. 5Procedure, etc. in relation to Boards
  3. 6Power of the Board
  4. 7Procedure to be followed by a Magistrate not empowered under this Act
  5. 8Children's home
  6. 9Production of neglected children before Board
  7. 10Special procedure to be followed when neglected child has parent
  8. 11Enquiry by the Board
  9. 12Power to put neglected child under suitable custody
  10. 13Uncontrollable children
  11. 14Children's Court
  12. 15Procedure, etc. in relation to children's court
  13. 16Power of children's court
  14. 17Procedure to be followed by a Magistrate not empowered under this Act
  15. 18Special school
  16. 19Bail and custody of children
  17. 20Information to parent or guardian or Probation Officer
  18. 21Inquiry by the children's court regarding delinquent children
  19. 22Orders that may be passed regarding delinquent children
  20. 23Orders that may not be passed against delinquent children
  21. 24Provided that the period of detention so ordered shall not exceed the maximum period of imprisonment to which the child could have been sentenced for the offence committed.
  22. 25No joint trial of child and person not a child
  23. 26Removal of disqualification attaching to conviction
  24. 27Special provision in respect of pending cases
  25. 28Sittings, etc. of Boards and children's courts
  26. 29Persons who may be present before competent authority
  27. 30Presence of parent or guardian at the proceeding
  28. 31Dispensing with attendance of child
  29. 32Committal to approved place of child suffering from dangerous disease and its future disposal
  30. 33Presumption and determination of age
  31. 34Circumstances to be taken into consideration in making orders
  32. 35Provided further that if no report of the Probation Officer is received within ten weeks of his being informed under section 20 it shall be open to the Children's Court to proceed without it.
  33. 36Reports and consideration of circumstances to be treated as confidential
  34. 37Prohibition of publication of names, etc. of children involved in proceeding under the Act
  35. 38Procedure of summons cases applicable
  36. 39Power to amend order

Chapter V APPEAL AND REVISION →

  1. 40Appeals
  2. 41Revision
  3. 42Provided that the High Court shall not pass an order under this section prejudicial to any person without giving him a reasonable opportunity of being heard.
  4. 43Observation homes
  5. 44After-care organisations
  6. 45Punishment for cruelty to child
  7. 46Employment of children for begging
  8. 47Female child exposed to the risk of seduction
  9. 48Penalty for giving intoxicant, liquor or dangerous drug to a child
  10. 49Exploitation of child employees
  11. 50Allowing child to reside in brothel, etc
  12. 51Causing or encouraging seduction, etc
  13. 52Immoral behaviour with girl, etc
  14. 53Power of Government to discharge and transfer children
  15. 54Transfer of neglected or delinquent child to or from other State
  16. 55Treatment of children of unsound mind or suffering from leprosy
  17. 56Placing out on licence
  18. 57Provision in respect of escaped children
  19. 58Contribution by parents
  20. 59Control of custodian over child
  21. 60Delinquent child undergoing sentence at commencement of the Act
  22. 61Probation officers and their duties
  23. 62Officers appointed to be public servants
  24. 63Procedure in respect of Bonds
  25. 64Delegation of powers
  26. 65Protection of action taken in good faith
  27. 66Act 8 of 1897 and certain provision of Act 2 of 1974 not to apply
  28. 67Power to make rules
  29. 68Repeal

PDF: pending for this language.