The Kerala High Court has observed that legislatures should consider reducing the age threshold for juveniles and children in conflict with the law from 18 to 16 years. Hearing a writ petition on Friday, November 13, 2026, the court said present trends indicate that children attain sufficient maturity by the age of 16. Justice A Badharudeen expressed concern over the easy availability of liquor to minors, observing that the issue requires detailed consideration in view of recent fatal accidents allegedly caused by persons below 18 years of age after consuming alcohol.
Kollam-based journalist Vinod Vikraman Pillai had filed a petition alleging liquor was being sold to people under 23 years of age, violating Sections 15A and 15B of the Kerala Abkari Act.
In its order dated November 13, the court noted that the petitioner's principal grievance was the alleged failure to enforce these statutory provisions, despite the restrictions imposed by law. The court observed, “It is high time for the legislatures to consider appropriate amendments in the statutes which deal with ‘juveniles and child in conflict’ with law to reduce age to 16 years, taking note of the present trend showing sufficient maturity by children when they reach the age of 16.”
The petition questioned the easy availability of liquor to underage persons at licensed establishments. It also highlighted recent incidents involving persons below 18 years of age allegedly causing fatal accidents and motor vehicle mishaps after consuming alcohol.
The petition referred to the October 11 accident at Nedumbassery, in which a 19-year-old allegedly driving a luxury car under the influence of alcohol rammed into a scooter, killing three youths. The petitioner alleged that the person had been served liquor at multiple bars in Ernakulam without proper age verification.
The petitioner contended that the continued supply of liquor to persons below 23 years, despite the statutory restrictions, indicated serious lapses in enforcement by the authorities.
Pillai had also submitted a representation on October 15 to the Excise Commissioner and the Director of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB), seeking mandatory electronic age-verification systems at bars, action against establishments violating the law and an investigation into alleged bribery involving excise officials.
The petitioner approached the High Court after alleging that no effective action had been taken on his representation. Considering the matter, the Court admitted the writ petition and observed that the issues raised required detailed consideration.
"Addressing the recent incidents showing that persons below 18 years of age caused fatal accidents and motor vehicle mishaps after consuming alcohol, taking advantage of the easy supply and availability of liquor to them without any restriction, ignoring the statutory restrictions, this writ petition would require a detailed hearing," the court said.
The Court specifically directed the third respondent, the Excise Commissioner, to file a statement disclosing the directions issued to implement Sections 15A and 15B of the Kerala Abkari Act. It also sought suggestions on additional measures to ensure effective implementation of the statutory provisions.
The court's observation comes amid several recent incidents involving minors, including the November 2 murder of a Plus-I student at Pangappara in Thiruvananthapuram, in which a 17-year-old boy was identified as the prime accused.
The report also referred to an incident in Kochi in which a luxury car allegedly driven by a 17-year-old fatally knocked down a 55-year-old man on Container Road, and an August incident in Alappuzha in which a 13-year-old girl was booked for allegedly conspiring with three teenage boys to murder her 67-year-old grandfather.
The court has posted the matter for further hearing on November 24, 2026.
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