SC admits plea on age verification at liquor vends

The Supreme Court has sought a reply from the Union Government on a plea seeking direction for an effective protocol and comprehensive policy to enforce mandatory consumers’ age verification at liquor vends. The plea was filed by a civil society group named Community Against Drunken Driving.  Centre, all states, and Union Territories are being made parties as respondents.

The plea argued that the excise policies in various states set legal alcohol drinking or possession age caps but there is a lack of a robust mechanism to verify the age of consumers or buyers at points of sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages. Additionally, the plea also opposed the doorstep delivery of liquor, arguing that such a service would contribute to encouraging alcoholic beverage consumption among underage people.

The counsel for the petitioner contended that there is no effective system in place to verify the age of consumers or buyers at liquor stores, bars, pubs, and similar establishments, in India. The petitioner emphasised that a strong policy to address this issue could play a significant role in reducing drunken driving and curbing underage alcohol consumption across the country.

The petitioner proposed that individuals who sell, serve, or provide alcohol to minors should face a penalty of Rs 50,000, a three-month jail term, or both.

In response to the plea, the SC bench issued notice to the centre seeking its response to the plea and posted the matter for hearing after three weeks.