The Juvenile Justice Act, 1986
41. Punishment for cruelty to juvenile. –
(1) Whoever, having the actual charge of, or control over, a juvenile, assaults, abandons, exposes or willfully neglects the juvenile or causes or procures him to be assaulted, abandoned, exposed or neglected in a manner likely to cause such juvenile unnecessary mental or physical suffering shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine, or with both.
(2) No court shall take cognizance of an offence punishable under sub-section (1) unless the complaint is filed with the previous sanction of the State of the Government or an officer authorised by it in this behalf.
The Juvenile Justice Act, 1986