Section 17A: Conditions to be observed before placing persons rescued under section 16 to parents or guardians

1]17A. Conditions to be observed before placing persons rescued under section 16 to parents or guardians.—Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (2) of section 17, the magistrate making an inquiry under section 17 may, before passing an order for handing over any person rescued under section 16 to the parents, guardian or husband, satisfy himself about the capacity or genuineness of the parents, guardian or husband to keep such person by causing an investigation to be made by a recognised welfare institution or organisation.]

Source: India Code (indiacode.gov.in), the consolidated text published by the Legislative Department, Government of India. Text as updated on India Code on 15 October 2026. Words in square brackets [ ] were inserted or substituted by later amending Acts, and *** marks words omitted by an amendment. The amendment footnotes are not reproduced here. Official text on India Code.

Supreme Court judgments citing the section 17A

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