What is the system for checking age in liquor shops and pubs? Supreme Court seeks answer from the Central Government

The Supreme Court on Monday sought a response from the Centre on a petition seeking mandatory age regulation at liquor shops and other places of sale. The court has requested effective age regulation and direction to formulate a robust policy. The petition states that there is age-related law in the excise policy of various states, under which it is illegal for a person below a certain age to consume or keep alcohol. Despite this, there is no strong system to check the age of consumers or buyers at places of sale or consumption of alcohol. 

Opposition to supply of liquor at home

The petition opposes the policy of home delivery of liquor. It is also argued that this will rapidly increase the addiction of drinking alcohol among young people. This petition came up for hearing before a bench of Justice BR Gavai and Justice KV Vishwanathan. 

Minimum drinking age in the country increased from 18 to 25 years

It is known that the minimum legal age for drinking alcohol in various states and union territories of the country has been fixed between 18 and 25 years. Despite this, in many places, people below the age of 18 are also seen drinking alcohol.

There is no system to check age.

The NGO ‘Community Against Drunken Driving’ has filed this petition. Its lawyer Vipin Nair argued during the hearing that there is no system to check the age of consumers or buyers in liquor shops, bars, pubs, etc. It is said that a concrete policy in this regard will help in reducing and preventing the problem of drunk driving and will also curb underage drinking. 

50 thousand rupees fine and 3 months imprisonment

The petitioner suggested that a person found guilty of selling, serving, or providing alcohol to minors should be fined Rs 50,000 or jailed for three months or both. The Centre, all states, and union territories have been made respondents in the petition. 

The hearing will be held after three weeks. 

The bench said that it will issue notice to the Centre on this petition and seek its reply. The court said, ‘The notice should be limited to respondent number one (Union of India).’ The next hearing of the case will be after three weeks. The petition has requested to formulate and implement a policy for mandatory age checks at all shops, pubs, or bars serving liquor.